Melody Silenced on the Highway : Community Mourns the Loss of Royal Canoe Bassist Brendan Berg and Partner Olivia Michalczuk in Tragic Crash
WINNIPEG, MB — A deep sadness hangs over Manitoba’s music scene and beyond as news spreads of a devastating highway crash that has now claimed three lives — including Brendan Berg, the beloved bassist for Winnipeg indie pop band Royal Canoe, and his partner, Olivia Michalczuk.
The tragic collision occurred Tuesday afternoon north of Swan River in western Manitoba. According to the RCMP, a southbound vehicle unexpectedly crossed the center line and collided with a northbound car parked on the roadside. The crash’s impact was swift and brutal.
Brendan Berg, 42, and Olivia Michalczuk, 31, were both in the parked vehicle and were rushed to the hospital with critical injuries. Despite all efforts, both were pronounced dead shortly after arrival. A third victim — a 29-year-old passenger in the striking vehicle — has also succumbed to injuries, while the driver remains hospitalized in stable condition.
In the wake of this horrific loss, Royal Canoe released a deeply emotional tribute to Berg on social media, capturing the heartbreak felt by his bandmates, friends, and fans alike. “Brendan’s death has left an enormous and sudden hole in the lives of everyone who knew him,” the band wrote. “His relentless positivity, big smile, and considerate nature were a stabilizing and inspiring force for us.”
For more than 15 years, Brendan was not just a musician, but a pillar of dedication and camaraderie — the first to show up, the last to leave, always ready to lift those around him both literally and emotionally. His bandmates described him as “legendary” for his selflessness.
The band also remembered Olivia with great affection. “Olivia’s energy and enthusiasm brought out the best in Brendan, and her passing is equally as devastating to try to understand,” they said. Their love was palpable to those who knew them — a bright, inseparable pair with a deep bond.
As the investigation continues, questions remain about what led to the moment that ended so many dreams. But in this moment, it is the collective grief — and the immense love — that define the aftermath.
Friends, fans, and fellow musicians across Canada have begun sharing tributes and memories online, reflecting on the joy Brendan and Olivia brought to every space they entered.
This tragic incident is not just the loss of two lives, but the silencing of a rhythm that pulsed through a community. The highway that took them away now echoes with the heartbreak of those left behind.
Gone too soon — but never forgotten.<\em>
