Edmonton man killed in collision remembered as loving father, great friend

Dozens of people gathered on Anthony Henday Drive in the west end Thursday night to remember a man killed in a collision a day earlier.

“We’re a big community of bike people and we always get together when an accident happens on two wheels,” friend Morgan McGiverin said.

“We just come here to show our support for people who need it and just for him.”

READ MORE: 1 person killed in collision involving motorcycle on Henday

Edmonton police said an SUV was straddling two lanes near 62 Avenue SW on Wednesday when it suddenly slowed down. A motorcycle that was driving behind the SUV struck the vehicle on the rear passenger side.

Friends identified the driver to Global News as Marcel Murray.

Murray was take to hospital where he later died.

READ MORE: Motorcycle memorial ride winds through Edmonton to remember man killed

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Friends who gathered at Thursday’s vigil remembered Murray as a great father who always had a smile on his face.

“The guy was an incredible father, an incredible rider and a great friend,” friend Chris Gwyn said. “He loved everybody, didn’t matter who you were. He’d invite you to his home, invite you to come ride with him, introduce you to all his friends.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The guy was an incredible father, an incredible rider and a great friend," friend Chris Gwyn said. "He loved everybody, didn't matter who you were. He'd invite you to his home, invite you to come ride with him, introduce you to all his friends."

“I looked at him as a brother,” McGiverin said. “He’s been there for me through a lot of stuff and I was there for him when his daughter was born, so I look at him as family.”

READ MORE: Edmonton father’s fatal motorcycle crash leaves 3 children orphaned

McGiverin said drivers need to be more aware and careful of motorcyclists on roads.

“We’re people too. We have kids or a mom, dad, brother, sister,” she said.

“It could be a family member of yours on a bike, so just think when you see a bike be courteous, be respectful because we’re people too and we should be treated the same as people in cars.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It could be a family member of yours on a bike, so just think when you see a bike be courteous, be respectful because we're people too and we should be treated the same as people in cars."

The southbound lanes of the Henday at the Lessard/Callingwood exit were closed for several hours after the collision on Wednesday.