A woman killed in a motorcycle crash in Qualicum Beach over the weekend has been identified by friends and family as 37-year-old Amanda “Mandy” Boss.
She was a mother of two young boys.
The collision occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 13th, when a Harley Davidson with custom skull-and-smoke paint crashed into a white Chevrolet S-10 pickup on Island Highway West near Mistaken Road.
Mandy, who was riding as a passenger, died at the scene.
The 44-year-old male rider from Cowichan Bay suffered serious injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
The pickup driver, a 54-year-old man from Qualicum Beach, was not hurt.
For those who knew her best, Mandy’s life revolved around being a mother to her two sons, aged 7 and 10.
“She was one of the most caring and dedicated mothers I’ve ever seen,” said long-time friend Darcey Linden, who started a GoFundMe to support her children.
“Her children were her entire world and she was theirs. She would have moved heaven and earth for those boys.”
Linden said the fundraiser was launched immediately after hearing of her death, with the goal of helping the family with funeral expenses and securing her sons’ future.
“The majority of it will be going to the boys to help ease the transition to their new life with their father as well as to set up college funds,” he said.
As of this publication, $16,505 of the $26,000 goal has been raised.
Outside of motherhood, Mandy was known locally as an artisan. She owned and operated Bruja Berzerk Soap Co., selling her handmade soaps across BC.
On the day of the crash, she had been taking part in a toy drive event. “The Toy Run was incredibly important to her as it married two of her passions: motorcycles and helping kids,” Linden said.
Her loss has sparked an outpouring of support from the community.
“Motorcycle clubs have stepped up with large donations to her boys, local businesses have donated their time and services to raffles, and the outcry of people looking to help those kids has just been heartwarming,” said Linden.
Those wishing to support Mandy’s family can do so through the GoFundMe campaign or by contributing to a meal train set up for the family.
“Mandy was so many things—she was a beautiful woman, a free spirit, a great friend—but I feel what she’d most want to be remembered as was those boys’ mom,” Linden said.
The current condition of the driver of the motorcycle is unknown.
RCMP continue to investigate the cause of the crash and have urged anyone with dashcam footage or information to contact BC Highway Patrol – Parksville, quoting file number 2025-1877.
