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Weather: Montreal, October 13th 2008 / 14°C / Overcast / Wind: 7 Km/h / Humidity: 59 %

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Quebec cyclist killed in Manitoba was riding with his teenage children

Article online since June 30th 2008, 0:00
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A Quebec cyclist killed while riding next to his two teenage children as part of a cross-Canada charity trip was remembered Monday for his energy and drive to raise awareness about diabetes.

Daniel Hurtubise, 50, of St.-Bruno-de-Montarville, Que., was killed and his children Alexandre, 19, and Sonia, 16, were injured Sunday when they were hit by a car on the Trans-Canada Highway near Virden, Man.

A 45-year-old Kelowna, B.C., man described as a family friend was also killed in the collision.

The four were tackling the trip from Vancouver to St.John's, N.L., to raise awareness about the disease. Money raised was going to the Toronto-based Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

"It was an event organized by the Hurtubise family themselves," said foundation president and CEO Andrew McKee, noting they called it "Ride of a Lifetime."

"That was the branding they had created for themselves."

Hurtubise was 15 when he was diagnosed with Type-1 juvenile diabetes, a non-preventable, auto-immune disease, said McKee. Hurtubise volunteered with the foundation's Montreal chapter.

"He was an incredible guy. There was an energy and a spark to him, the likes of which you don't get to see with very many people," McKee said.

"This was a pretty special event that they were doing."

The extent of the teens' injuries was not known. Sonia remained in hospital in stable condition Monday, said a Brandon Regional Health Authority spokeswoman. Alexandre had been treated and released.

Police and executives with the diabetes foundation declined to name the 45-year-old B.C. man killed in the collision, saying it's unclear if his family has been notified.

The 27-year-old driver of the car that hit the cyclists was not injured in the collision near Virden, a town about 290 kilometres west of Winnipeg.

Police had not laid any charges Monday, and were continuing their investigation.

"Alcohol's not involved, but right now we need to piece together what occurred," said Manitoba RCMP spokeswoman Sgt. Line Karpish.

Though it's early in the probe, police have confirmed that the cyclists' support vehicle was not in the vicinity when the accident happened.

"The vehicle was ahead ... parked somewhere away," said Karpish.

The cyclists were riding along a divided stretch of highway - two lanes running east and two heading west - with a shoulder made of gravel.

Under the Highway Traffic Act, cyclists are required to ride single file, on the right-hand side of the road, Karpish said. Technically, cyclists can use the entire right lane and motorists should move into the passing lane.

"Sometimes that doesn't happen. People don't quite clear the lane when they made a lane change," said Karpish, adding: "Common sense should prevail."

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