A Father’s Day weekend ride on a motorcycle turned tragic after two men, both former military, died an hour out of Kingston when a car plowed into them on a rural road. A third rider is fighting for his life in hospital. The three were part of a bigger group biking along the Loyalist Parkway Saturday when they were struck.
46-year-old Darren Williams of Quinte West and 58-year-old Wayne Boone of Ottawa died at the scene. Three others including the couple in the car are in serious condition. It was at weekend rally of 1st Canadian Army Veterans (CAV) Motorcycle Unit, involving military members who share a passion for riding motorcycles. They had come together for a rally in Trenton. A few of them decided to ride a bit more before heading home.
Boone and Williams were part of a group of 8 bikers with the 1ST CAV who, after the rally, decided to enjoy some sun and camaraderie. While they were riding along the Loyalist Parkway at Stapleton Road, they were struck by a Miata, critically injuring one and killing the other two.
46-year-old Darren "Willy" Williams died instantly along with 58-year-old Wayne "Watch Dog" Boone of Ottawa. A third biker is in hospital with broken ribs, cuts and bruises. The 83-year-old driver of the car and his 80-year-old passenger are in critical condition.
'It’s quite devastating when a car and motorcycle collide,’ says Constable Kim Guthrie of the Prince Edward County OPP, ‘but when you have three collide, it makes it a very difficult scene for everyone involved.’
Boone was with the military police for 29 years serving in Bosnia and Cyprus. He spent five years with Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. Professor Jez Littlewood taught with him and knew him well.
‘He was a great teacher and a popular member of the faculty,’ says Littlewood. ‘He was instrumental in setting up the infrastructure protection and international security program through the five years he was here; a great mentor for students.’
Last year, Boone left Carleton to run a consulting company.
‘So many people talking about what a tremendous impact he had on their lives,’ says colleague Pat Moore. ‘I was very shocked but he was killed doing something he loved and that was riding a motorcycle.’
Wayne Boone leaves behind a wife and two children. Darren Williams had two children as well and had recently become a grandfather. Boone will be buried at the Beechwood Cemetery on Friday morning. There is no confirmation yet about the service for Darren Williams.
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the accident to contact the OPP's Prince Edward County detachment.
It is with heartfelt grief and compassion that CAV National would now like to inform the membership of the tragic...
Posted by Canadian Army Veterans - The CAV on Sunday, June 21, 2015
