A new name was etched into a Manitoba memorial honouring the victims killed in impaired-driving crashes. Robbie Anderson died in a 2016 crash in Minitonas. “He lived life wide open, and he just had such a zest for life, always positive, he had million friends, and (I’m) just really feeling the loss,” said Chris Anderson, Robbie’s older brother. On Saturday, Robbie’s name was added to MADD Canada’s Manitoba Provincial Memorial Monument at the Glen Eden cemetery. On it, the names of 86 victims who, like Robbie, died in alcohol- and drug-related crashes. “Ten years is a heavy anniversary,” said Chris, who has been wanting to see Robbie’s name added to the monument for a while now. “Seeing his name on the monument just puts it in perspective how many victims there has been and the impact felt not through just their families, but throughout the community as well.” Robbie’s family was one of several who attended and took part in the sombre ceremony aimed at raising awareness about the dangers and consequences of impaired driving. “Firsthand, we see the devastating impact impaired driving has on individuals, families, and our communities,” said Insp. Robert Wuskynyk, with Manitoba RCMP’s traffic division, noting officers are often the first on the scene of these crashes. “What makes these tragedies especially difficult is that they are 100 per cent preventable.”
