Gregarious and witty: young woman killed in crash remembered

A young woman who died following a collision with an alleged impaired driver was a bubbly, supportive and outgoing athlete.

The sudden and tragic death of 24-year-old Jordyn Reimer in Transcona early Sunday is only beginning to register with Jenna Thompson, a former hockey teammate, classmate and friend.

"I don’t think you could find someone who cares more about her team, the game and just people in general than Jordyn," Thompson said Tuesday.

Thompson and Reimer attended MacEwan University in downtown Edmonton at the same time, and both played for the MacEwan Griffins. Thompson played defence and Reimer played forward.

"She was hilarious, hands down one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. She always had something witty to say, something to get the team going in between periods… She wanted to win, but she was there to push her teammates, also," Thompson said.

Reimer saw her team to three championship finals.

"She was definitely a huge part of those championships," Thompson said. "She was so consistent."

Illustrative of her late friend’s indomitable spirit, Thompson recalls the time Reimer fell while shooting a puck and broke her arm — in the weeks leading up to playoffs. The injury didn’t stop Reimer from being there to support the team.

"Even when she wasn’t playing, she was a huge part of the team," Thompson said. "Her energy was unmatched."

The 28-year-old learned about Reimer’s death when word spread throughout her extensive circle of friends and loved ones after Sunday’s crash.

"We slowly let our team out in Edmonton know," Thompson said. "Jordyn was friends with everyone, so that was a hard thing to do."

Thompson said she heard Reimer may have been on her way to pick up friends, as their designated driver, when the collision occurred at roughly 2:20 a.m. at the intersection of Bond Street and Kildare Avenue West.

Tyler Scott Goodman, 28, of Winnipeg has been charged with several offences, including dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving while impaired and failure to stop at the scene.

Winnipeg police said the accused and other individuals in the vehicle had fled from the scene.

When first responders arrived at the crash site, they had to extract Reimer from her vehicle. She was taken to hospital in critical condition, and later died.

The investigation is ongoing, and police want to speak with anyone who witnessed the crash.

Thompson’s thoughts are with the Reimer family.

"Her family was huge to her — her sisters — they spent a lot of time together," Thompson said. "They’re all best friends… She was very family- and friend-oriented."

Trevor Ens, president of the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, called Reimer’s death a tragedy.

"Impaired driving is the leading cause of criminal death in Canada," Ens said.

Ens said MADD Winnipeg is pairing up with Manitoba Justice on a restorative justice program. The family of a loved one killed by impaired driving, or an individual who has been injured in a collision involving an impaired driver, will be given a platform to address those convicted of the offence.

"This is something that we feel is going to be beneficial for everyone," Ens said.

Ens encourages anyone who has lost a loved one to impaired driving to reach out to MADD Winnipeg for support.

A friend of the Reimer family, Alex Meilleur, launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 900 individuals and families — many of whom left messages of support for the family — donated over $59,000.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca