Manitoba families mourn as motorcycle tragedies increase

Manitoba families are grappling with grief as a recent increase in fatal motorcycle accidents casts a shadow over the province. Among the victims are Brenda Lee and Dan Keats, both 65, who lost their lives in a motorcycle crash on Breezy Point Road in the RM of St. Andrews on June 13.

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Very warm, caring people.

Paradise Lee, their granddaughter, described them as "very warm, caring people" whose "doors were always open to anybody." She fondly remembers baking, gardening, and crafting with them, emphasizing their deep impact on her life and the lives of many others. A tribute to the couple was even featured at a Winnipeg Goldeyes game, underscoring their significance within their community.

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Their doors (were) always open to anybody. Anybody was family. You needed a helping hand, they were always there.

Mandy Keats, Dan's daughter, shared the profound difficulty of their loss, stating, "I don’t think it’s something you truly ever get over, losing someone like your dad or your parents. You just learn to carry their memories and the love that they left." She hopes that by sharing their story, they can honor their memory and potentially prevent future tragedies on the road.

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It’s a tough one…. they both were just big impacts on our lives.

Manitoba has seen a disturbing rise in motorcycle fatalities this year, with seven deaths recorded so far in 2026, compared to six in all of 2025. Sgt. Mark Hume of the Manitoba RCMP's northwest division traffic services urges both motorcyclists to practice defensive driving and motorists to be extra vigilant, noting that a single headlight from an approaching motorcycle can alter a driver's perception of distance. He stresses the importance of drivers having "two points of focus to judge distances," which is more challenging with a single headlight.

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I don’t think it’s something you truly ever get over, losing someone like your dad or your parents. You just learn to carry their memories and the love that they left.