WINNIPEG BEACH, Man. — A Manitoba father described recent government promises to upgrade a stretch of Highway 8 as a relief, but said the measures fall short of what is needed to stop more families from enduring similar losses.
Tom Borsa lost his 18-year-old daughter, Maya, when a vehicle carrying four teens was struck by a van on the night of Sept. 8 near the junction of Provincial Road 229 and Highway 8. The crash killed all four young people. In the days that followed, provincial officials announced plans to install additional safety measures at the site.
Family asks for clearer warnings at intersection
Borsa said he spoke with Premier Wab Kinew after the collision and relayed what he believed would make the intersection safer. Among his requests were the installation of traffic signals and improved advance warning signs to alert drivers to the upcoming junction. He also questioned the condition of existing roadside safety features.
"It's a good start, but again, it's not going to stop the idiots on the roads — and there's a lot of them,"
He told reporters the absence of effective rumble strips and the fact that only one light appeared to be functioning at the intersection made the crossing especially hazardous. Borsa told the premier he viewed the crash as preventable if the intersection had been properly maintained.
Government response and immediate steps
The premier, Borsa said, pledged to do what he could to address the problems at the site. Officials have since committed to installing additional safety measures along that segment of highway. Borsa described the announcement as a relief, but also urged a broader approach to preventing serious collisions.
He emphasised that infrastructure work can help but cannot entirely eliminate hazardous driving behaviour. "It's a good start," he said of the measures, "but again, it's not going to stop the idiots on the roads."
Community impact and concerns
The deaths have shaken communities along the Lake Manitoba corridor west of Winnipeg. Residents and families who travel Highway 8 routinely have raised concerns over the years about high speeds, limited signage and intersections that can be difficult to spot, especially at night.
Borsa’s public remarks underline the grief many in the region are feeling and the demand for faster, tangible action from government agencies responsible for highway upkeep and traffic safety.
- Crash date: Sept. 8
- Location: Intersection of PR 229 and Highway 8 near Winnipeg Beach
- Victims: Four teenagers, including an 18-year-old named Maya
- Family requests: Traffic signals, advance yellow warning signage and improved rumble strips
What remains unclear
While officials have promised upgrades, details about the timing, specific scope of work and which agency will be responsible for maintenance were not provided in Borsa’s account. Questions also linger about broader enforcement or education measures aimed at changing dangerous driving behaviours on the route.
| Issue | Requested change |
|---|---|
| Advance warning of intersection | Yellow signage indicating intersection ahead |
| Rumble strips | Improved installation and maintenance |
| Traffic control | Installation of stoplights or enhanced signals |
For families in the area, the announcement is an initial step toward addressing long-standing worries. For Borsa, the fixation is whether infrastructure fixes will be implemented quickly enough to prevent another "senseless tragedy."
As officials move from promises toward action, residents will be watching timelines, funding commitments and whether the changes target both road design and the driver behaviours that produce the greatest risk.
The crash and its aftermath are a reminder of the human cost when road hazards and unsafe driving meet. Local leaders, provincial officials and affected families now face the task of turning grief into policies and projects that reduce the chances of a repeat.
