Drunk RCMP officer kills motorcyclist.

AK370Z · 11-07-2008, 12:48 AM

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An RCMP officer who failed a breathalyzer test after a fatal collision on the weekend has been released without charge on a promise to appear in court in January.

The cop, who was not identified, was already under investigation because he was one of four Mounties at the Vancouver airport a year ago when Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski died after being Tasered.

The officer was driving a Jeep which collided with motorcyclist Orion Hutchinson, 21, at about 10 p.m. Saturday at 6th Avenue and Gilchrist in Delta. Hutchinson died at the scene.

A memorial with flowers was set up at the intersection yesterday.

A rose was tied with a yellow ribbon to a pole and a large blue bow was tied around another pole. One flower arrangement had a card that read: "Young, so missed. Love. The Woods."

A family friend, who declined to give his name, said simply: "It's a tragedy. Until the police do their investigation, I don't think it is appropriate [to comment further]."

Family members were at the crash scene yesterday, looking at the memorial and the orange police markings on the road.

One of them took photographs, but none would comment.

Police said Hutchinson was driving west on 6th Avenue on his 2005 Yamaha FZ-6 when he collided with the officer's eastbound Jeep.

RCMP Sgt. Tim Shields would not identify the officer because he has not been charged.

He said the officer is one of four Mounties being investigated in connection with the death of Dziekanski on Oct. 14, 2007.

"I can confirm that an off-duty member was involved in a collision," Shields said. "I can also confirm . . . he was at an incident at the airport."

Shields said the officer is assigned to the 2010 Integrated Security Unit and has been suspended with pay. Olympic officials didn't return calls.

"This is the most unimaginable heartbreak," Shields said. "Our hearts and prayers are with [the Hutchinson family] today." Delta Police Const. Paul Eisenzimmer denied the RCMP officer is receiving special treatment.

"Around the Lower Mainland, there is a two-month wait for a promise to appear," he said.

"Christmas is coming and the courts are closed for two weeks. Any person in the same circumstances or situation would be in the same shoes.

"He hasn't been formally charged. It is private information until it is before the courts." Eisenzimmer said crash analysts are still trying to determine what led up to the crash.

The Hutchinson family home is in a cul-de-sac in the Stahaken subdivision of Tsawwassen, off the expensive English Bluff Road area.

Neighbours Doug and Shirley Thomson, who have lived on the street for 19 years, said the Hutchinsons moved in about five years ago.

Doug Thomson said he often saw Orion out washing his motorcycle.

"Being a young guy, he was pretty proud of it," said Thomson. "Around here, he wasn't reckless. A very responsible young man. It's just unbelievable." Shirley Thomson said the family are "very nice people." Mom Judith sometimes worked from home.

"She was so busy teaching aerobics or whatever," Shirley said. "She would have classes in her home. We just waved to one another."

On a Facebook site, entitled "RIP Orion Hutchinson . . . Stop Impaired Driving!" people offered their comments.

"Drunk driving needs to be stopped," wrote creator Natasha Malone. "My condolences to the family."

MADD Canada CEO Andy Murie said impaired driving kills 1,400 Canadians each year.

"It is very disappointing for groups like ourselves, but also disappointing for the RCMP as well," Murie said from Toronto.

"The public loses some faith when this happens.

"It's unfortunate because this doesn't represent the vast majority of the RCMP. Maybe this is a wake-up call to get some help."

The officer is to appear in Surrey Provincial Court on Jan. 15. The maximum sentence for impaired driving causing death is a life sentence.

Off-duty officer failed breathalyzer