Manitoba road safety: Sylvia Goertzen stood Thursday at the Highway 75 and Provincial Road 305 intersection near Ste. Agathe where her daughters Sophie, 17, and Acacia, 15, were killed in August 2021, and asked Manitoba to make the junction safer before another family is left standing in the same place.
By Maplestime Manitoba Desk | Ste. Agathe, Manitoba | November 12, 2026
Sources: CBC Manitoba | Last updated: November 12, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Sophie Goertzen, 17, and Acacia Goertzen, 15, died in August 2021 when their vehicle and a semi-trailer truck collided at Highway 75 and PR 305 near Ste. Agathe, about 35 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg. They were on their way to a sister’s wedding shower.
- Interim Progressive Conservative leader Konrad Narth spoke at the intersection on Thursday and called on the provincial government to study the junction and improve its safety.
- A petition started last year by Guy St. Hilaire calling for safety fixes at the intersection has more than 1,000 signatures.
- Manitoba RCMP previously told Radio-Canada there were seven motor vehicle collisions at the intersection between March 20, 2024, and March 19, 2026.
- Smaller fixes were discussed Thursday, including flashing lights on the stop signs. Goertzen said of the lights, “We like to think it may have made a difference.”
What Happened in August 2021
The girls were from the Roseau River area. They were travelling to a sister’s wedding shower when their vehicle collided with a semi-trailer truck at the junction. Both were killed. A sign at the intersection remembers Sophie and Acacia. The source gives August 2021 only, with no exact day, and states no charges or legal outcome.
What Was Said at the Intersection Thursday
Goertzen said, “We can only do better.” She said more signage makes drivers more aware of what can go wrong at such places, and said hearing about recent crashes at the intersection had been difficult for her. She added that the risk reaches beyond her family, saying a whole community has felt the ripple effects.
Narth wants the province to conduct a study of the intersection and how to improve it. St. Hilaire, who started the petition, hopes something will get done, at the very least to slow down traffic.
Why This Intersection Keeps Coming Up
Highway 75 is a major corridor to the United States border with frequent truck traffic. The region is expanding quickly and traffic through the area has increased. RCMP figures shared with Radio-Canada counted seven motor vehicle collisions at the intersection between March 20, 2024, and March 19, 2026.
What Happens Next
The Progressive Conservatives are calling on the provincial government to make the junction safer. Narth’s ask is a government study of the intersection, with smaller steps such as flashing lights on the stop signs discussed as quicker action. No timeline for a study or fixes was given on Thursday. The petition remains open.
Maplestime will provide updates from the Highway 75 and PR 305 intersection as announcements are made.
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Do you think flashing lights and a full safety study are enough, or does this intersection need a bigger fix now? Tell us in the comments. And share this with every Manitoban who drives Highway 75.
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