Five years have passed since Ethan Boyer, a promising university student, lost his life in a tragic road accident on the South Perimeter. His parents are devoted to preserving his memory through various initiatives.

At the age of 19, Ethan was en route to a morning lecture at the University of Manitoba when his car was hit from behind by a semi-truck. The impact forced his vehicle into another truck. This unfortunate incident prompted the development of a new service road named Ethan Boyer Way, located between Waverley Street and the Brady landfill.

The driver of the truck was found guilty of negligent driving resulting in death and was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine in December 2021. He also received a two-year driving prohibition, a sentence agreed upon by both the prosecution and defence.

Sue Zuk-Boyer, Ethan’s mother, shared with 680 CJOB’s The Start that despite half a decade passing, the accident still feels like it happened recently. She and her family are proactively advocating for improved safety measures to prevent other Manitoba families from experiencing a similar tragedy.

Zuk-Boyer emphasized the importance of ensuring her son’s memory makes a positive difference. She stated, “I can’t just have let him be a stat, that nobody knows who he is and what happened…. It’s etched in my mind forever.”

While Ethan’s parents acknowledge that conditions on the Perimeter have improved since the accident, they still express concerns. Zuk-Boyer noted that while there have been significant improvements, there are still numerous intersections on the Perimeter, posing a risk for accidents.

Ethan’s father, Dana Boyer, noted that the accident that took his son’s life prompted many parents to encourage their children to choose safer routes.

Ethan’s fondness for pets has inspired a charitable initiative in his name to raise funds for local animal shelters. The Tin for the Critter Bin initiative encourages people to donate food and other pet items at specified Pet Valu stores and Quarry Pets in Stonewall. The family has already made seven food drop-offs at local shelters, a testament to their dedication to keeping Ethan’s memory alive.

It’s a story of love, loss, and perseverance, illustrating how one family turned a tragic event into an opportunity to bring about positive change in their community.