First Manitoba Roadside Memorial Sign Honours Young Man Killed By Impaired Driver


WEST ST. PAUL, Manitoba, July 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On August 1st, Manitoba’s first roadside memorial sign for victims of impaired driving will be unveiled to honour the memory of Brett Yasinsky.

Brett was on his way to pick up his girlfriend on November 10, 2010. The couple planned to go to a movie. But Brett never made it there. The 22-year-old’s car was hit by an impaired driver just minutes from his home. He died at the scene.

The crash site at McPhillips St. (Highway 8) and Grassmere Rd. will be the location for the sign, which will feature Brett’s name and MADD Canada’s red ribbon. The sign will serve as a symbol of remembrance and a reminder to the public about the dangers of impaired driving.

Brett’s family will join elected officials, representatives from Manitoba Public Insurance, the RCMP and MADD Canada for the unveiling of the sign on Wednesday afternoon.

Media are invited to attend the sign unveiling and hear from special guests.

Date:  Wednesday, August 1st
Time:  3 p.m.
Location: Grassmere Family Restaurant, 3750 McPhillips St. (Highway 8), West St. Paul, MB
               Directions: North on McPhillips St., over the Perimeter Hwy bridge. Turn left at the first set of lights (Grassmere Rd.) and then immediately into the Grassmere Family Restaurant parking lot at the southwest corner of the intersection.
Special Guests:  Melody and Wayne Bodnarchuk
                           MaryAnn Mihychuk, Member of Parliament for Kildonan-St. Paul
                           Ron Schuler, Minister of Infrastructure and MLA for St. Paul                                          
                           David Wright, Deputy Minister of Justice and Attorney General
                           West St. Paul Mayor Bruce Henley
                           Inspector Al Hofland, Officer in Charge, RCMP Selkirk Detachment
                           Ward Keith, Vice President of Business Development & Communications, Manitoba Public Insurance
                           MADD Canada Chief Executive Officer Andrew Murie

Roadside memorial signs are a powerful and lasting way to honour victims and to remind motorists about the tragic consequences of impaired driving. MADD Canada thanks Brett’s family for their courage, and the Government of Manitoba and the Rural Municipality of West St. Paul for their leadership in establishing a roadside memorial for victims of impaired driving.

For more information, contact:
Gillian Phillips, MADD Canada Victim Services Manager, at 1-866-461-4077 or gphillips@madd.ca