Family, friends mourn young father killed in motorcycle crash 

A 30-year-old Winnipeg man killed in a weekend crash north of the city is being remembered as a loving father, devoted husband and a warm presence in the local motorcycle community.

Winston Supena died Saturday afternoon when his motorcycle — affectionately nicknamed “Silver” — collided with a three-ton truck at the intersection of Highway 9 and Mitchell Bay in the RM of St. Andrews. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

RCMP say Supena had been travelling southbound on Highway 9 when the truck turned west onto Mitchell Bay, crossing into his path. Investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the crash, though no charges had been laid as of Wednesday. The 67-year-old truck driver’s licence has been suspended under the Highway Traffic Act.

The crash ended what had started as an ordinary day — one that included Supena’s early morning shift as a health-care aide, followed by brunch with his wife, Mica, and two young children — six-year-old Warren and four-year-old Mina — at a Salisbury House on Henderson Highway before meeting up with his biker buddies.

“That was the last time we saw him,” Mica said Wednesday.

She was at work in south Winnipeg later in the day when friends reached out, urging her to call one of Supena’s riding friends who was at the scene. She was told emergency crews were performing CPR on her husband, and STARS Air Ambulance had been dispatched.

She didn’t get there in time.

“The friend’s voice cracked, and he told me they were putting a white cloth over Winston,” she said. “I feel like I died in the car because I couldn’t do anything. I was stuck in traffic.”

A close friend of Supena’s says he’s still struggling to come to terms with the crash that claimed the life of one of his closest friends, describing him as someone who would “always have your back.”

Rafael Bactol said Wednesday that he and Supena shared a deep friendship that grew even stronger over their shared love of motorcycles.

“We would bond over everything,” Bactol said. “I got him into riding (motorcycles) last year. I was really happy. And I went with him to buy his first motorcycle.”

That first bike was eventually sold, Bactol said, and just days before Saturday’s fatal crash, Supena had purchased a new bike, travelling to B.C. with friends to bring it back to Winnipeg.

“It was his new baby,” Bactol said.

On the morning of the crash, Bactol received a message from Supena asking if he wanted to go out riding.

“I ignored the text because I was bringing my bike to the shop to get it fixed,” he said. “It’s just hard. I’m still processing it all.”

Bactol emphasized the dangers of impaired driving and the needless risks it creates for others on the road.

Supena’s wife echoed that message. “… It’s a common-sense thing we learn throughout our lives,” she said.

“I’m just an independent contractor. I don’t work full-time. I don’t have benefits. My husband worked hard, two jobs, to provide that for us. Now, I don’t know what to do.”

A neighbour who lives near the intersection and saw the crash site while returning home, said the truck driver resides in the area.

“We saw the motorcycle on the road and then just a big tarp,” said the neighbour, who asked not to be identified.

Another neighbour noted the area is known for speeding vehicles, although RCMP did not say speed was a factor in the crash.

“It’s just a bad situation,” the neighbour said.

Douglas Houghton, director of the Coalition of Manitoba Motorcycle Groups, said drivers need to remember that it’s spring and motorcycles are back on the road.

“That’s one of the common causes of an accident… a vehicle making a left-hand turn in front of you,” Houghton said.

May will be announced as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month by the province Saturday. Houghton is leading a safety awareness rally at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

Also Saturday, the local Filipino community, through the 55,000-plus member 204 Filipino forum on Facebook, is planning a prayer vigil at the crash site from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, members of the MotoBro63 riding group — Supena was a member — have launched a GoFundMe campaign to support his family.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca