Savannah Paige, 25, died after a man allegedly stole a vehicle and collided with two cars in far north Queensland before forcing another motorist to drive him away from the scene.
The 36-year-old man has been charged with a string of offences including manslaughter.
The tragedy has rocked the Cairns community, with floral tributes for Ms Paige left near the scene at Smithfield and a candlelight vigil to be held on Sunday.
Her family on Friday led tributes to "their beautiful Savannah", who they said would be remembered for her kind heart and sense of humour.
"Savannah was beautiful inside and out, with a smile that lit up every room," they said in a statement.
"She has left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled."
Ms Paige and her partner Lachie had only just begun a fresh chapter after building a new home, and had been excited about the future they were creating, the family said.
"To have that future taken away so suddenly is something our family is struggling to comprehend," they said.
"We are beyond devastated by her passing."
The family thanked emergency services and the community who organised the vigil at Cairns' Fogarty Park on Sunday from 5.30pm.
"Savannah will be loved always, remembered forever, and never forgotten," the family said.
The 36-year-old man was charged after being accused of stealing a Toyota Land Cruiser and barely 15 minutes later, colliding with a Rav4 and a Subaru Impreza at Smithfield about 1.25pm on Wednesday.
Ms Paige - the Rav4 driver and sole occupant - died at the scene while another four people were taken to hospital with injuries, police said.
The man is accused of entering another Toyota shortly after the crash and forcing a 71-year-old man to drive him away from the scene.
The 71-year-old man was not physically injured and the 36-year-old was taken into custody by police almost an hour later before being transported to hospital for treatment.
He was refused police bail and was due to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on Friday.
10°C