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Vol. 20, No. 47, Wednesday, August 27, 2025 www.LamontLeader.com
Community comes together for local small business family “Thank goodness for STARS - It was a miracle he survived” - father BY JANA SEMENIUK A charity car show and cruise is set to take place in the town of Bruderheim on the weekend, supporting a local small business family who have suffered tragedy over the past month. The day of the show, Aug. 30, was originally scheduled for the Model T races which is organized every year by classic car restoration expert Matt Hotte who also owns Strong’s Garage in Bruderheim with his friend Jim Koladich. This year’s Model T event was cancelled after a devastating accident nearly took Hotte’s life. Bruderheim resident Ryan McIvor, one of the organizers of the charity car show, said he has come to know Hotte through their mutual love of classic cars and wanted to help support Hotte’s family while he recovers from his accident. “The Model T races were cancelled (and) it draws so many people into the town, so I thought, what better way to do (this than) to have a car show and cruise in support of the family, and still kind of bring the community together,” he said. “All the proceeds are going to go to Matt’s family.” Events unfolded for the Hotte family first with the July 22nd birth of Matt and Cassie Hotte’s fourth child. The baby girl, they named Ida, needed ICU support shortly after her birth. “Her breathing quit an hour and a half after she was born,” explained Hotte’s father, Ken. Ken said the baby was intubated and sedated while she slowly recovered over five days in the ICU. After baby Ida was finally released from the hospital on Aug. 5, Hotte was driving home from his father’s place on Aug. 8, when a second tragedy struck. A head-on collision split Hotte’s
truck in two, ejecting him from his 1966 Ford F100 truck. He was the only occupant. Hotte was once again in the U of A hospital’s ICU, this time fighting for his own life. “He had a fractured pelvis, ribs, torn aorta, chipped spine and lots of lacerations,” said Ken. “Thank goodness for STARS (air ambulance). It was a miracle (he survived).” Another friend of Hotte’s, YouTuber Alex Archbold of Curiosity Incorporated, shared news of Hotte’s accident through an online video. Archbold, who’s channel explores hidden treasures, brought his own 1929 Cadillac to Hotte’s shop for work two weeks before the crash and documented the experience for his more than 500,000 subscribers. Once he learned of Hotte’s horrific accident, he expressed
his concern for Hotte’s recovery in addition to shock at the level of damage done to Hotte’s truck. “His vehicle was hit so hard that it dislodged the cab off of his truck. And if you know how well-built those old trucks are, it would take a tremendous amount of force to actually take the cab off the truck in a collision. The other thing to know about a (66 truck) is there are no airbags. I don't even know if they came factory with seat belts,” he said. “Matt’s appeared on (my) channel many times. He’s someone I’ve known for the last nine years and one of the greats. It’s a long road ahead for his recovery and we wish Matt all of our very best.” News of Hotte’s accident rippled quickly through, not only the classic
L-R: Ken Hotte (Matt's father), along with Matt's friend and business partner Jim Koladich, and one of the Charity Car Show organizers, Ryan McIvor, pose for a photo at Strong's Garage in Bruderheim on Aug. 22. Photo: Jana Semeniuk Below: Matt Hotte's 1966 Ford F100 truck lies split in two after a horrific head-on collision near his home Aug. 8.
Matt Hotte, happily speaking on camera to YouTuber Alex Archbold for a video on Archbold's 1929 Cadillac, only two weeks before the crash. car community but also through the music community where Hotte has made many connections with his talents over the years. “The music side (of his life) is bigger than his car side. The support has been over the top. Unreal,” said Ken, adding Hotte plays bluegrass banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and guitar plus he sings. “He’s very good at what he does.” An online fundraising effort quickly raised over $145,000 for the family where Hotte is the sole breadwinner. While Hotte’s injuries were horrific, his will to persevere was evident when, upon finally being released from the hospital Aug. 19, he made his way to the garage on Aug. 22. Koladich and Ken were there to welcome him back. “He’s busted up and (using) a walker. It’s pretty funny (to hear him talk) with the old guys he’s always talking to. Now he (is the one) with heart medication (and a) stint,” laughed Koladich. “He was so happy to be here.” Ken said an investigation into the cause of the crash is still ongoing. The Charity Car Show and Cruise will feature live music, lunch and dozens of classic cars stretched along Bruderheim’s Queen Street from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 30.