Wife of Manitoba motorcyclist killed in Highway 9 crash will 'always be an advocate' for road safety

A week after a 30-year-old man was killed while riding his motorcycle on Highway 9, riders from across Manitoba marked the start of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month at a rally outside the Legislative building in Winnipeg on Saturday. 

Winston Supena, a father of two young children, was killed on April 26  when his motorcycle collided with a three-ton truck at Highway 9 and Mitchell Bay, in the rural municipality of St. Andrews, about 25 kilometres north of Winnipeg. 

He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The 67-year-old truck driver had his licence suspended and police said alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash. RCMP said their investigation into the crash is ongoing.

"On behalf of the government, I am so sorry for your loss," Waverley MLA David Pankratz said, addressing members of Supena's family, who were in the crowd at the safety month rally on Saturday. 

As the weather gets warmer across the province, Coalition of Manitoba Motorcycle Groups president Peter McDonald warns both drivers and motorcyclists to stay alert and watch out for each other.  

"We're just trying to make for a safe riding season," McDonald said. 

Supena's widow, Mica Orcullo-Supena, told CBC that despite their grief, her family was at the rally to support a cause her late husband cared deeply about. 

"Being safe on the road and motor safety is an important thing for him, and for everyone. So we wanted to come support, especially during our mourning," Orcullo-Supena said. 

"It's an honour for him,"  she said. 

Widow will 'always be an advocate' for road safety 

Shortly after the rally, Orcullo-Supena joined dozens of loved ones at the St. Andrews crash site where her husband died for a vigil, organized by volunteers of the 204 Neighbourhood Watch community group. 

She told vigil-goers that her husband — who was well-loved for his passion and sense of humour — would have been happy to see the outpouring support the family has received since his passing.  

"Love, wherever you are, I hope you see and I hope you know how much people love you, and how much you made an impact on all of our lives," Orcullo-Supena she told the crowd at the vigil, voice wavering as she spoke into the microphone.  

"I hope you see that our community cares, your motorcycle friends and everyone are here for you," she said. 

Motorcycles roared as members of Manitoba's motorcycle community pulled up on the side of the road to pay their respects to Supena. 

One of his friends, Archie Bernardo, said Supena "felt like a brother," getting choked up while telling the crowd Supena got him into riding motorcycles and brought him into the community. 

"I know he's in a better place now, he's up there riding endless highways [with] weather that's always clear, with no worries," Bernardo said, encouraging other bikers to stay safe on the roads. 

"We all knew how much of a passion he had for riding and that's why I'd like to always be an advocate for safety on the roads," said Orcullo-Supena.