Popular motorcyclist killed in crash

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/05/2018 (2892 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba motorcycle enthusiasts are mourning the death of well-known motorcycle show organizer Robyn Gray, who died late Thursday night after being hit on his motorcycle by three vehicles in the R.M. of Springfield.

The 71-year-old, who lived in East St. Paul, was westbound on Provincial Road 213 — also known as Garven Road — near Lorne Hill Road at about 11 p.m. when he was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by a 16-year-old male from East St. Paul, RCMP said. Gray was thrown from his motorcycle. He was then hit by a second westbound vehicle being driven by a 30-year-old woman from Portage la Prairie.

RCMP say they believe that Gray was struck by a third vehicle heading east on Hwy 213. The driver of this vehicle did not stop at the scene and has not been identified. Police are asking anyone with information that may help identify the driver to contact the Oakbank RCMP at 204-444-3847.

Gray was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unknown if alcohol was a factor in the collision, RCMP said.

Officers from the Oakbank detachment and an RCMP forensic collision reconstructionist continue to investigate.

Gray was a former organizer of the popular Winnipeg motorcycle show, Rolling Thunder, at the World of Wheels and, at one time, owned a Harley-Davidson dealership.

“Robyn was a larger-than-life figure and very well known in the motorcycle community, not just in Winnipeg, but around the world,” said Free Press Autos editor Willy Williamson, a close friend of Gray’s.

Gray was an activist who strongly supported rights for motorcyclists and helped pen many of the laws and guidelines in place, Williamson said. He was involved with the Coalition of Manitoba Motorcycle Groups and organized rallies held at the Manitoba Legislative Building to protest rate hikes by Manitoba Public Insurance.

“Robyn was never afraid to not only stand up for himself but for others too,” said Williamson.

Gray shared his love of motorcycles with many, including one patient at Riverview Health Centre. Gray arranged for himself and a group of motorcyclists to visit a resident there who was a big bike enthusiast and rode a motorcycle back in the day. Gray was also involved in a number of charitable causes, including the Thursday Night Riders’ annual Children’s Wish Foundation Charity Fundraiser and the Annual Ladies of Harley Davidson Breast Cancer Pledge Run.

“Robyn was a huge supporter of our military veterans and organized and led an annual Remembrance Day run that often had as many as 50 other fellow bikers along for the ride,” said Williamson. “One November, it was particularly cold and Robyn, local artist Jordan Van Sewell and our buddy Brian Segal and I were the only ones who made the ride. It was so cold my bike wouldn’t start and the guys had to push me down the street in front of the Selkirk Legion to get it going. Robyn was cursing and complaining the whole time but wouldn’t have dreamed of leaving me stranded, that was just the type of guy he was, he always had time for his friends, always. I will miss his laugh and his passion for life,” his friend said.

“Robyn had a youthful energy that was contagious, he was always planning something. He may have been 71, but he really never slowed down, he recently told me he wanted to get to work restoring the old fire truck he had in his yard. He was happiest when he was turning wrenches and telling stories,” said Williamson. “…He always said he wanted to write a book, and I’m really wishing he had.”

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca