A 46-year-old valued member of the Burnaby, British Columbia community, identified as Rafal Sotola, died on December 5, 2025, in a tragic accident while bicycling to work along a well-traveled path in North Burnaby.
The collision occurred at approximately 8:00 a.m. close to where Lougheed Highway meets North Road, when Sotola was hit by a motorist who did not stop at a marked pedestrian crossing. Burnaby RCMP and BC Emergency Health Services responded promptly. He was taken by ambulance to Burnaby Hospital, where medical teams were unable to save him, his death underscoring the dangers faced by cyclists on city streets.
The BC Coroners Service attributed his death to numerous traumatic wounds from the impact. Investigators are still examining elements such as vehicle speed and sight lines during the morning commute. Police have indicated this appears to be an isolated incident; the driver is cooperating, and as of December 10, 2025, no charges have been laid.
Video from witnesses’ dashboard cameras is assisting in piecing together the events. This tragedy represents the third cycling death in Metro Vancouver this year, renewing appeals for better safeguards for bicycle lanes along busy roads.
Originally from Poland, Sotola moved to Canada as a young adult. He studied mechanical engineering at BCIT, graduating with distinction in 2005, and built a stable career as a quality control technician at a manufacturing company in Burnaby.
His work life combined exacting technical duties with additional hours to help meet his family’s needs, demonstrating a methodical attitude refined through his own study of computer-aided design programs. Coworkers appreciated his dependability and understated guidance, frequently seeking his help to resolve complicated production problems.
Family was at the center of Sotola’s life. He was a loving husband to Malgorzata, whom he married in 2004, and a supportive father to his 18-year-old daughter Dominika, whose college plans he actively encouraged through weekend study periods and consistent motivation.
The family lived in a comfortable townhouse in Brentwood, maintaining customs such as summer walks on Burnaby Mountain and traditional Polish Easter celebrations that connected them to a wider circle of relatives. His caring nature extended to community cookouts, where he would offer grilling advice inspired by recipes from his youth.
Sotola led an energetic daily routine, using his early commute as part of his exercise regimen. He played weekend soccer in local leagues and undertook woodworking projects at home, building bookshelves for his daughter’s room. His leisure interests included making craft beer, which he enjoyed sharing during family tastings, and reading historical fiction about Poland in the evenings.
