Delta motorcyclist impaired before crash with Mountie
Coroner's report says actions of both drivers contributed to crash
Motorcyclist Orion Hutchinson was killed in the collision with the Jeep. (Family photo)
March 23, 2010
CBC News
A coroner's report says the actions of both drivers contributed to the crash. A coroner's report says the actions of both drivers contributed to the crash. (CBC)
A Delta, B.C., motorcyclist killed in a collision with an RCMP officer's Jeep two years ago was impaired and speeding at the time of the crash, a coroner's investigation has determined.
The actions of both drivers, Orion Glenn Hutchinson, 21, and RCMP officer Cpl. Benjamin (Monty) Robinson, played a role in the collision, a report by the B.C. Coroners Service concluded.
Hutchinson was likely killed almost immediately by injuries he suffered when his motorcycle slammed into a Jeep driven by Robinson on a street in the community of Delta, south of Vancouver, on Oct. 26, 2008, the report said.
Speed, alcohol blamed
Coroner Mark Coleman concluded that speed and alcohol on Hutchinson's part were also contributing factors to the accident.
The motorcyclist had an alcohol level above the legal limit and was travelling between 66 km/h and 96 km/h when the collision occurred, Coleman concluded.
Robinson was making a left-hand turn and moving between 24 km/h and 29 km/h at the time of the crash, the coroner said.
"Speed and alcohol intoxication on the part of Mr. Hutchinson were contributing factors. Alcohol intoxication on the part of the driver of the Jeep is also believed to be contributing factor," concluded Coleman in the one-page report.
"I classify this death as accidental and make no recommendations."
Officer charged
Robinson, who was off-duty at the time of the collision, identified himself to witnesses before leaving the crash site with his two children to take them to his nearby home.
RCMP Cpl. Benjamin Robinson was charged with obstruction of justice following the crash. RCMP Cpl. Benjamin Robinson was charged with obstruction of justice following the crash. (CBC)
He later testified that he had two shots of vodka before returning to the crash scene and failing a Breathalyzer test.
Delta police recommended a charge of impaired driving against Robinson, but the Crown decided not to proceed. Instead, he was charged in December 2009 with attempting to obstruct justice. The case is still before the courts.
Robinson was suspended with pay following the crash.
He was also the most senior of the four Mounties involved in the Taser death of Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver airport in October 2007.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/03/23/bc-delta-motorcycle-crash-robinson-hutchinson.html#ixzz0j3EvcdKz
Coroner's Report into the Death of Orion Hutchinson
http://www.cbc.ca/bc/news/bc-100323-coroners-report-hutchinson.pdf
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