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A 37-year-old man is wanted in connection with a crash in western Manitoba that killed three people last summer, including the bassist of indie-pop band Royal Canoe and his partner.
Matthew Govereau is charged with impaired and dangerous driving causing death in a crash on Canada Day 2025 that killed Brendan Berg, Berg’s partner Olivia Michalczuk and a 29-year-old man who was a passenger in Govereau’s vehicle, RCMP said in a news release Wednesday.
A car driving on Highway 10 near Road 224 N. veered over the centre line and hit Berg and Michalczuk’s vehicle, which was parked on the opposite shoulder, police said.
Berg, 42, and Michalczuk, 31, were taken to hospital, where they died of their injuries. Berg’s bandmates said in a social media statement after the crash that he would have turned 43 only a day later.
The third victim was also later pronounced dead in hospital.
RCMP previously said the driver had also been hospitalized with critical injuries, but stabilized.
Police are looking for Govereau, who faces 18 charges, including three counts each of impaired driving causing death, careless driving and dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death.
LISTEN | Royal Canoe’s Bucky Driedger shares memories of bandmate Brendan Berg and Olivia Michalczuk:
Information Radio – MB12:29Royal Canoe’s Bucky Driedger shares memories and music in tribute of Brendan Berg and Olivia Michalczuk
Bucky Driedger of Winnipeg band Royal Canoe shares how the music and arts community rallied to support the friends, family, and fellow bandmates of Royal Canoe bassist Brendan Berg, and his partner Olivia Michalczuk, following their deaths early last month.
The Crown approved charges against Govereau last week, RCMP said, but police efforts to find him have been unsuccessful.
Govereau also faces several weapon and drug-related charges:
Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.Possessing a prohibited weapon.Two counts of weapon possession contrary to an order.Possession of property obtained by crime.Three counts of possession of drugs for purposes of trafficking.Possession of a controlled substance.
Govereau’s last known address is in Birch River, Man., but he’s known to regularly travel throughout the province, including Winnipeg, RCMP said.
He’s described as five feet 11 inches tall and 280 pounds.
RCMP are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact them at 204-734-4686 or 204-734-3454, or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers online or by phone at 1-800-222-8477.