But just after 8pm on the Mitchell Freeway off-ramp, near Butler Boulevard, his classic car collided head-on with a Ford Ranger.

Emergency crews rushed to help but Gray couldn’t be saved.

His wife described him in a statement as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

“He had the biggest heart and touched everyone he met,” she said.

“His presence lit up every room, and life will never be the same without him.”

His friend David Johnson asked everyone to “remember Johnny as a good community man [and] a big cuddly teddy bear”.

The 35-year-old Ford driver is in Royal Perth Hospital’s trauma unit with serious injuries.

Police are still working out exactly what happened but friends and local residents believe confusion at the intersection may have played a role.

“[He] looked at that sign – straight to Lancelin, right to Perth City – he took the right to Perth City [and] was met by another car,” Johnson said.

Clearer and better signage is a safety overhaul locals have been calling for.

“Myself included, I have almost taken the on-ramp to get on the off-ramp, it’s horrific, better signage needs to be put there,” local Felicia Hartmann told 9News.

Gray’s death pushes WA’s road toll to 141 – the highest it’s been in almost a decade.