The 71-year-old grandfather was killed in a Ferrari crash after his car split in half during the Orange County crash

Tributes have begun for the grandfather who was killed when his Ferrari was cut in half in Orange County, California on Friday.

Robert Nicoletti, 71, a retired dental salesman, was remembered for his “contagious laugh and smile” on social media over the weekend.

“Bob I have always loved you and we have been close for the last 30 years and I will miss that connected laugh and smile may you rest in peace my friend,” Nicoletti’s ex-brother-in-law wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

Shocking footage and images from the scene showed the aftermath of the three-vehicle collision in Orange County, when the Ferrari crashed into a silver Mazda SUV and a blue Toyota.

Robert Nicoletti, 71, has been identified as a victim of Friday’s crash in Orange County

The red 2015 Ferrari Nicoletti drove in half at the scene

The other two drivers involved in the accident were not injured.

After the name of the deceased was announced, friends and family members came together to remember him as the “wonderful” father, grandfather and man that he was.

“It is with a heavy heart that a great father, uncle, brother and friend of so many died in a horrific car accident yesterday afternoon,” wrote Mike Anderson.

Anderson identifies in the post as Nicoletti’s ex-brother-in-law.

The man described Nicoletti as “a wonderful person” and said he will “always be grateful for always being there for my daughters and grandson in California.”

“God won an amazing angel. Love you Bob,” Anderson wrote.

Nicole Stone Neuland identified Nicoletti as her godfather and said, “I can’t wait to see you in heaven and give you a big hug.”

Nicoletti’s goddaughter posted this tribute on her Facebook page on Sunday morning

Anderson tagged two other women in the post, including a woman who identified Nicoletti as her godfather.

“I miss you already, Uncle Bob. You were such a wonderful person and godfather. Can’t wait to see you in heaven and give you a big hug,” Nicole Stone wrote in Neuland.

Kyle Nicoletti, Robert’s son, posted a sweet picture of his father following his tragic death.

‘Man, that hits home. Your dad was awesome and I have so many stories and jokes from him. You and all your family are in my heart and prayers,” one person responded to the change in Kyle’s Facebook profile photo.

Another tribute said Nicoletti had a “contagious laugh and smile”

Robert Nicoletti (left) and his son Kyle Nicoletti (right) in a photo posted to Facebook on Sunday

On Friday, police said they don’t think alcohol was involved, but high speed may have been a factor when Nicoletti’s Ferrari accelerated to prevent a rear Tesla from overtaking.

The crash occurred in Santiago Canyon near the town of Silverado, which is in the Santa Ana Mountains of eastern Orange County.

The California Highway Patrol said they were called around 3:40 p.m.

They found a scene of shocking devastation, with mangled and smashed cars – and the 2015 Ferrari cut in half.

Debris littered the road and dirt was kicked up from the slopes.

Parts of the red Ferrari can be seen everywhere on the street. The driver reportedly accelerated to stop a Tesla from overtaking

Wreckage from the cars can be seen all over the street, with the silver Mazda and the blue Toyota

Parts of the red Ferrari can be seen on the left many meters from the point of impact

The Mazda and Toyota sustained front damage, but the Ferrari was almost unrecognizable.

The Tesla didn’t stop.

Anselmo Templado, a public information officer with the California Highway Patrol, said Nicoletti suffered fatal injuries from the force of the impact when he was ejected from the vehicle.

He said Nicoletti was speeding and couldn’t control the corner.

“Speed ​​was probably a factor,” said Sgt. Kris Ulibarri with the CHP Santa Ana office.

“We’re still investigating but as you can see the Ferrari is split in half.”

Firefighters are pictured at the scene in Santiago Canyon, about 42 miles southeast of Los Angeles

The Ferrari lay in the middle of the road while the Mazda and Toyota were thrown to one side

The car was turned into a pile of almost unrecognizable metal