Manitoba

Police release man arrested in connection with fatal Portage Avenue hit and run

Police have released a man who was arrested in connection with a fatal hit and run in Winnipeg over the weekend that left a motorcyclist dead.

Matthew Cave, 40, died after van collided with motorcycle he was driving near Home Street in Winnipeg

Matthew Cave died after a crash on Portage Avenue Saturday afternoon. (Travis Golby/CBC)

Police have released a man who was arrested in connection with a fatal hit and run in Winnipeg on the weekend that left a motorcyclist dead.

Matthew Cave, 40, died in hospital Sunday. Cave was rushed to hospital after his motorcycle and a van collided on Portage Avenue at Home Street on Saturday afternoon.

The driver and a passenger in the van left the vehicle at the scene and took off on foot. Police said the van had not been reported stolen.

Police made a public plea for the driver to come forward.

On Tuesday morning, Winnipeg police confirmed one man has been arrested. 

A few hours later, Const. Rob Carver confirmed the man was released after being questioned.

Cave worked as a bouncer at the Marion Hotel, his sister, Heather Benson, told CBC News on Monday.

"We had 40 more years we were supposed to get with him," she said. "He was a hell of guy."

Cave, a father of two, would have celebrated his 18th wedding anniversary this summer, his sister said.

Supporters planned to hold a motorized vigil at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Cave's co-worker Avery Ross said Monday. 

Supporters are expected to follow a route from the Marion Hotel to the crash site on Portage, looping back past the legislature to raise motorcycle safety awareness before returning to the hotel.

Clarifications

  • We initially reported that Robert Benson was killed. His family has since said that he had changed his name to Matthew Cave.
    Jun 08, 2018 1:19 PM CT