A HEARTBROKEN family have paid tribute to a 34-year-old man killed in a car crash.

Steven Bake, from Hartlepool, was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident when the silver Honda Accord he was driving hit a fence shortly after midnight on Saturday.

He had been driving with a 23-year-old female passenger when the car left the road on North Lane, near Elwick Village, in Hartlepool.

The passenger suffered a fractured collarbone and minor injuries in the crash.

Mr Bake’s family and partner have since released a statement via Cleveland Police as the force continue to investigate the crash.

“Steven was very much loved and we are heartbroken that he has been taken from us so suddenly in the early hours of February 24th,” the Bake family said.

“We will update everyone once we have further details for those who will want to pay their respects to him.

“At this moment it is hard for us to take this in, so please bear with us at this incredibly difficult time.”

  • Officers are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information on the crash to contact PC Lee Benson from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit via non-emergency number 101, quoting event number 032959.