Dad Dies in Fiery Crash After Playing Golf, Wife and Kids Pay Tribute

A devoted dad was killed in a traffic collision earlier this month after playing golf with his friends, according to officials and his family.

The crash occurred on Wednesday, Sept. 10, on the M57 motorway in Knowsley, a village in England, the Merseyside Police said in a news release. Around 3 p.m. local time, authorities were notified that a black Audi A5 left the motorway and caught fire on the northbound carriageway close to junction 2 and 3. 

Police said that the driver was pronounced dead after sustaining serious injuries. 

“First and foremost our thoughts remain with the family of the man who sadly lost his life following the collision this afternoon,” Det. Sgt. Kurt Timpson of the Merseyside Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit said in a statement. “His family have been informed and are being supported by our specially trained family liaison officers.”

Five days later, the Merseyside Police identified the victim as Lee Morton, 60, of Kirby.

In an emotional tribute, Morton’s wife Marie called him her “soulmate” and a “source of joy, laughter, and kindness.”

“One of his great passions was golf and on the day we lost him he had spent the morning doing exactly that, out on the course, happy and surrounded by friends,” she wrote. “There is comfort in knowing his last hours were spent doing something he truly loved.”

“Above all, he was a dad to his girls who were his pride and joy,” his wife continued. “He loved them with his whole heart and they will carry his love with them always.”

She went on to share that his dog Enzo “has been waiting by the window for you to come home.”

“He was cherished beyond words by me, by his family, by his friends, by Enzo, and most of all by his girls,” Marie wrote. “Though our hearts are broken, we are grateful to have loved him and to have been loved by him. Oceans of time my love.”

Morton’s children also honored their father.

“Our wonderful dad, we love you so much, our hearts are broken into a million pieces,” they wrote. “We will look after your best friend Enzo for you we promise.”

“We will love & miss you forever, Rest in paradise dad. Love your girls and Enzo xxx,” they added.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Following the mans’ death, police said on Friday, Sept. 12, that John Butler, 31, of Shaftesbury Avenue, in Kirkby, was charged with “causing death by dangerous driving and dangerous driving.” He had been remanded and was scheduled to appear at Liverpool Magistrate’s Court that morning.

When reached for comment by PEOPLE, police had no new information to share and it’s not clear whether Butler has responded to the charges against him.