A popular rugby player has been killed in a horror car crash.

Joseph ‘Joe’ Simpkins was the driver of a car that crashed on the Tonkin Highway, near Perth Airport, at about 1.45am on Sunday.

Mr Simpkins’ vehicle ploughed into a roadside barrier, 7News reported.

The 28-year-old played and coached at the Kalamunda Rugby Union Club in Perth.

In a heartfelt message, the club revealed the devastating news to its members on their Facebook page on Monday.

‘We tragically lost our man Joey Simpkins,’ it said.

‘He was the loyalist of loyal friends and loved and respected in the Kala and wider rugby community. 

‘His loss leaves THE BIGGEST hole in the hearts of many.’

Joseph ‘Joe’ Simpkins, 28, (pictured) was the driver of a car that crashed on the Tonkin Highway, near Perth Airport, about 1.45am on Sunday.

Mr Simpkins (pictured) was a fixture at his rugby union club, starting as junior and making it to premier grade. He was currently coaching the Under 15s while he was rehabbing his injured knee

The rugby club also said their cherished member always had a smile.

‘His kindness, infectious laugh and amazing gift for bringing people together for a good old yarn will be sorely missed.’

The club said that Mr Simpkins had started in their club as a junior but made it all the way to Premier grade.

He had recently been coaching younger teams while ‘rehabbing a knee injury’. 

A RugbyWA spokesperson told 7News that talks were being held as to how best honour Mr Simpkins’ memory and service to the game in a ‘fitting way’. 

‘The tragic event on Sunday morning has deeply affected all of us,’ they said.

‘The club’s committee will be meeting tonight to discuss how best to support the members and the broader community during this incredibly difficult time.  

‘As this is a deeply personal matter for the entire club community, we will be guided by and respect their decisions on how they choose to remember him.’

Tragically, Mr Simpkins crashed into a roadside barrier (pictured)

The popular rugby player (pictured) will be honoured for his service to the sport

It was a horrific weekend on West Australian roads, with four people killed, including Mr Simpkins.

A single-vehicle crash in Yalgoo claimed the lives of a 33-year-old mother, a nine-week-old baby boy and a 21-year-old woman. 

The passengers had been returning to Geraldton after going to a funeral in Meekatharra when their Toyota Hilux rolled about 10.50pm on Geraldton-Mount Magnet Road.

There were three other people in the vehicle, and all were taken to hospital.

A 22-year-old man is in a critical condition, and a 43-year-old and another 22-year-old are stable. 

The state has seen its highest number of fatalities for this time of the year in over a decade, with 114 lives.

Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner said the number one cause for the state’s high statistics is speed which is ‘preventable’.