On Saturday, September 13, two members of our community, Kerry Ashley Bonner and Egor Popov, were killed by an impaired driver on Kenaston Blvd. We are heartbroken and outraged by the tragic, preventable deaths that occurred and our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims, especially to the child who lost their parents.
This devastating incident highlights a long-standing and dangerous reality: Kenaston Boulevard between Sterling Lyon and McGillivray Boulevard lacks safe infrastructure for people walking and cycling, forcing vulnerable road users onto an unprotected shoulder.
Every impaired driving incident is preventable. Additionally, crashes between vehicles and vulnerable road users are largely preventable through good urban design. Sidewalks, protected bike lanes and traffic calming measures are all absent from that section of Kenaston Blvd, making it dangerous for everyone both outside and inside a vehicle. This is not merely a planning oversight but a public safety failure, one that two people have paid for with their lives. Incorporating Vision Zero principles that include pathways that safely separate vehicles from cyclists and pedestrians mitigate the risk of driver’s mistakes killing vulnerable road users.
The victim’s family is hosting a Sacred Fire until 5:55pm on Thursday, September 18 at 46 Grove Street. The family is requesting donations of water, food, blankets, wood, and medicines (4 sacred medicines: sage, sweetgrass, tobacco, and cedar wood).
A go fund me has be set up in support of Egor Popov https://gofund.me/bdb918301
Bike Winnipeg will continue to advocate for connected, safe infrastructure not just for cyclists, but for all vulnerable road users—for everyone outside a car.