Cyclist killed in hit and run a 'great musician but a better person,' says former bandmate

A former bandmate and friend remembers Casey Donaldson, the cyclist who was killed by a drunk driver on Tuesday, as a loving dad, an excellent drummer and a generous man.

"We lost a great musician but a better person and it's very heartbreaking," said Justin Aron, who played guitar and sang with Donaldson for about five years in a Winnipeg blues band called Justin Aron and Dirtypool.

"We were inseparable for many years."

Donaldson was riding a bicycle with another cyclist in the eastbound curb lane of Nairn Avenue, near Kent Street, at about 1 a.m. Tuesday when he was hit and killed. The car drove away without stopping.

A 24-year-old man faces three charges, including impaired driving causing death.

• Drunk driver killed cyclist in Winnipeg hit-and-run, police allege
• Advocates tell cyclists to slow down and be alert, following hit and run

Donaldson had two daughters, Aron said.

"He was very proud of his girls," he said.

Aron used to sing songs with Donaldson and his daughters. 

"They all knew these country songs. I knew some of them just from growing up... but then he'd pull out these obsolete songs out of, I don't know where he had them stored, and they would all sing them and I would just try to follow along."

Aron said his friend made him feel comfortable when they played music together. They also had fun on stage.

"We had this game where I would try to catch him off-guard starting songs and I could just never beat him," he said.

Aron described him someone with a big heart who was always willing to help and didn't want recognition.

"He was the type of guy if you needed to borrow a dollar, he'd give you five. He was smart and funny," he said.

"I think he wanted to be known as that nice guy that he was."