Yarmouth intersection to change after crash that killed 17-year-old motorcyclist

The MLA for Yarmouth says an intersection in the community will become a four-way stop after a 17-year-old motorcyclist was killed there earlier this month. 

The family of Brandon Isaac Muise complained about the intersection of Hardscratch Road and Greenville Road following the crash.

Muise's motorcycle and a pickup truck hauling a trailer collided on July 12. Muise was going home to get ready for his shift at Walmart. 

The intersection has seen multiple accidents in the past, including another fatal collision in November 2024. The RCMP say the two roads were the site of 46 crashes from January 2019 to December 2024.

"Something has to be done because what's there now is not working," Laura McLennaghan, Muise's aunt, said on CBC's Information Morning Nova Scotia. 

In a Facebook post, Nick Hilton. the MLA for Yarmouth, said the province had reassessed the intersection. 

"As a result of this review, the intersection will be reconfigured to a four-way stop," Hilton said. "This will include changing all lights to red, and new advanced warning signs. This work will be completed as quickly as possible over the coming weeks." 

Hilton said that while the intersection "meets policy and design standards," the changes are necessary. 

"Our government remains committed to making all our roads safer, and we will continue to look for ways to protect Nova Scotia drivers," he said. 

The assessment reviewed the overhead warning system that is currently in place, as well as the warning signs at the intersection. 

McLennaghan says her nephew's death is a shock to the family. 

Muise was a student at Yarmouth Memorial High School and was supposed to enter his final year this fall, according to his obituary. After that, he wanted to attend Acadia University and have a career in forensics or private investigation. 

"It's just so heartbreaking," said McLennaghan. "We're all just shocked, numb. Just can't believe that something so tragic would happen to our 17-year-old Brandon. We're all shattered."

The family lives five minutes from the intersection. They have been calling for changes since the incident, citing high speeds along the two roads.

The RCMP is still investigating the crash.