Ian Bailey, Vancouver, B.C. (Globe and Mail) - One of the four officers involved in the fatal confrontation with Robert Dziekanski is now facing charges of impaired driving after a 21-year-old man was killed in a collision over the weekend.
RCMP spokesman Sergeant Tim Shields confirmed an off-duty member of the force was involved in the collision that resulted in the death of motorcyclist Orion Hutchinson.
The officer, who serves on the Olympic Integrated Security Unit, has been released on a promise to appear for impaired driving causing death and exceeding the legal limit.
He is was one of the four Mounties involved in last year’s fatal confrontation with Robert Dziekanski, who died after being hit by a taser at the Vancouver airport.
Delta police are investigating the weekend collision. The officer has been suspended with pay.
“I need to say that, on behalf of RCMP members and employees across Canada, this is the most unimaginable heartbreak ever and we are sick about it,” said Sgt. Shields.
“The officer involved is predictably devastated, as are we,” he said.
To the dead man’s family, he added: “Our deepest and most heartfelt and sincere condolences are with you and our hearts and prayers are with you.”
The other three officers involved in the Dziekanski confrontation remain on duty but Sgt. Shields would not say where.
The name of the officer will not be released until he is formally charged at his first court appearance in January.
Mr. Hutchinson was killed Saturday night when his motorcycle collided with a Jeep in nearby Tsawwassen.
Police said the driver of the Jeep failed a breathalyzer test and faces at least two charges in connection with the accident.
The accused was released Sunday by Delta police. RCMP have no role in the criminal investigation, he said.
5 responses so far ↓
1 E-Mark // Oct 31, 2008 at 10:30
This murder just never stops! I hope in his situation, mercy, grace, a fair trial and positive justice (on his behalf) are absolutely absent.
I can imagine how this guy (and the entire RCMP) probably feel that once again, he didn’t do anything wrong. After all, he was off-duty!
2 Deepthroat // Nov 3, 2008 at 16:17
Absolutely, suspend the Charter and find a nearby tree. Because of his position he is not entitled to any benefits of the law.
3 Calvin Lawrence // Nov 5, 2008 at 21:37
Find a nearby tree? Justice absent? We are entitled to think what we want. Putting what we think into action is a different story. Everyone is entitled to their day in court. The ability to enforce a law is only tested when we feel outrage and are still able apply that law.
Think what society would be like if we hung everyone from a tree because we were outraged that they broke the law.
(Seems that story has already been played out in this part of the world.)
Everyone deserves a fair, impartial trial and if found guilty the proper penalties should be applied by the courts.
How could anyone know how the entire RCMP membership feels? Whenever we generalize, we lose accuracy.
Think for a minute: Are you Pro-Justice or Anti-RCMP?
Calvin Lawrence
CGL Consulting
4 Deepthroat // Nov 8, 2008 at 02:04
That my dear Calvin is what is known as sarcasm (on my part), in response to the hyperbole from E-Mark.
5 Onegin1 // Nov 8, 2008 at 15:04
Calvin, I’m pretty sure Deepthroat is being facetious, and mocking E-Mark.
E-Mark, however, is clearly a Kool-Aid drinking internet nutbar. See: John Gabriel’s Greater Internet ****wad Theory.
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