Road trauma hit the Riverina hard in the last week.
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Our community was robbed on Wednesday of a young Wagga father who was never happier than when spending time with his partner and their two daughters.
It was impossible not to be moved when Sharna McTavish, in paying tribute to her partner of seven years Steve Schreiber, told The Daily Advertiser so simply and starkly that "It will be hard without him".
Then, on Friday afternoon, a single-vehicle crash at Coolac claimed the life of a man in his 80s.
It was only the following day that nameless, faceless person from the police press release was revealed as one of this region's most identifiable figures.
Peter Batey OAM was a giant across Australia's intertwined art, theatre and comedy scenes, and a damn good friend to The Daily Advertiser.
Probably best known these days as the founder of the Bald Archy Prize, Peter was a tireless advocate for the Riverina and its people, places and produce.
Whether it was food, arts or culture you were into, there are very few Riverina natives that Peter Batey's name did not resonate with.
Between a dedicated family man and pillar of the community, both of these loses were deeply personal to the region.
Any car crash that claims a life in the region should send shockwaves but knowing the personalities, the achievements and the dedication of these two men make the loss more unbearable.
The hours or days between hearing about a crash, where the victim's age in most cases is the only information known, and the formal identification are agonising.
Most read the news and call family and friends to ensure their loved ones are safe.
But some are not so lucky and it's that phone call or message numerous Wagga and Riverina residents had to endure just this week that left the community reeling.
Whether you have spent decades in the public eye or whether you are someone's father or partner, the outcome is just as devastating.