The RCMP officer involved in a fatal Tsawwassen crash in October 2008 is scheduled to stand trial next week.
Cpl. Benjamin "Monty" Robinson is charged with obstructing justice in relation to a collision that killed 21-year-old Orion Hutchinson. The trial is expected to begin Monday (Feb. 13) in New Westminster Supreme Court.
Robinson was off duty when his Jeep collided with Hutchinson's motorcycle at Gilchrist Dr. and 6 Ave. Robinson allegedly left the scene of the incident and walked home, where he claimed to have consumed two shots of vodka to calm his nerves before returning to the crash site.
According to Delta Police, Robinson's breath samples gave readings of .12 and .10 mgs of alcohol. Delta Police recommended charges of impaired driving causing death and dangerous driving causing death.
A coroner's toxicological analysis also reported alcohol in Hutchinson's blood.
The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of the Attorney General did not lay any driving-related charges against Robinson. Senior prosecutors with the branch concluded the available evidence did not establish proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Robinson had a blood alcohol level over the legal limit at the time of the collision, or that his ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol, or that he was operating his vehicle in a dangerous manner.
The charge of attempting to obstruct justice is based on alleged actions of Robinson after the collision.
One Facebook group dedicated to denouncing Robinson is asking its members to show up at the court house next week wearing motorcycle jackets.
Robinson was also among the RCMP members involved in the death of Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in 2007.