Warrant issued for man charged in crash that killed Royal Canoe bassist, partner

A warrant has been issued for a man wanted in connection with a Canada Day crash that killed three people, including the bassist of Royal Canoe.

An arrest warrant has been issued for a 37-year-old man in connection with a head-on crash last summer that killed three people, including the bassist for Royal Canoe and his partner.

Mounties in Swan River issued the warrant for Matthew Govereau, 37.

The Winnipeg man is wanted on 18 charges, including three counts of impaired driving causing death, three counts of careless driving, and possessing a prohibited weapon.

The charges were approved and sworn against Govereau on Jan. 20 and stem from a collision on Canada Day in 2025, as well as the weapons and drugs recovered from the vehicle following the crash.

Police allege Govereau was driving on July 1 on Highway 10 near Road 224 North when his vehicle veered over the centre line of the highway and struck a parked vehicle on the opposite shoulder.

A 42-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, identified by family as Royal Canoe bassist Brendan Berg and his partner, music journalist Olivia Michalczuk, were transported to hospital where they died.

A 29-year-old man who was a passenger in Govereau’s vehicle was also taken to the hospital, where he later died.

Police say efforts to find Govereau have been unsuccessful.

His last known address was in Birch River, but police say he is known to regularly travel throughout Manitoba, including Winnipeg.

If seen, officers say Govereau should not be approached.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Swan River RCMP at 204-734-4686 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.