Tributes have continued to pour in for 18-year-old Lewis “lighty Lew” Johnson, who died on Tuesday after his motor scooter collided with a van following a police chase.

Friends called the teenager a “lovely boy” and spoke of his kind nature.

Tony Fera, 18, told the Gazette: “Lewis was a boy I knew through football when I was younger. I also got to know him through friends and went out with him quite a lot.

“He was a talented footballer and was looked up to by all of the boys on the team.

“He was a boy with lots of kindness and always put a smile on people’s faces.”

Another friend, who preferred not to be named, said: “He was much more than a friend to me and more like a brother. I saw him as family – he was always looking out for me.

“Everyone loved Lew. There’s not really a bad word to say about him. He will be missed by everyone who knew him and it hurts to know that I will never see him again.”

Islington rapper Little Simz tweeted “R.I.P Lighty, prayers out to the family, dark times.”

Mr Johnson died at the scene of the crash on the A107, next to Clapton Common.

Islington Gazette: The crash on Tuesday afternoon (Picture: @999London)The crash on Tuesday afternoon (Picture: @999London) (Image: Archant)

Police had been chasing a motor scooter following a reported smash-and-grab in Kingsland Road earlier that day.

Mr Johnson’s passenger was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is now looking into the tragedy.

Investigators are scouring CCTV footage and were this week going door-to-door in Clapton in the hope of turning up new leads.