Cpl. Benjamin Monty Robinson
Family remembers man killed in Mountie crash
The grief-stricken family of a south Delta man, killed when his motorcycle collided with a Jeep driven by an off-duty Mountie, remembered him yesterday as a nature lover who was fiercely loyal to his family.
The grief-stricken family of a south Delta man, killed when his motorcycle collided with a Jeep driven by an off-duty Mountie, remembered him yesterday as a nature lover who was fiercely loyal to his family.
Orion Hutchinson, 21, died Saturday of injuries sustained during the crash near the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Gilchrist Drive in Tsawwassen.
Cpl. Benjamin Monty Robinson is being investigated in relation to the accident. He is one of four officers who was at Vancouver International Airport when Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski died after being Tasered.
Reading from a statement prepared by Hutchinson's mother and sister, his grandmother, Faye Daly, told reporters during an emotional press conference at Delta police station that Hutchinson had a strong affinity to nature and classical music.
"He loved everything from spider's webs to rainforests," she said, her words meeting with tears from Hutchinson's mother Judith and sister Daria.
"He would . . . demand that we share his boundless fascination and admiration for the planet that we live on," she said.
Daly said Hutchinson was an "incredible athlete," an avid reader, and "deep thinker" who dreamed of travelling to Egypt.
He also showed deep devotion to those he loved.
"He would champion them to the death," she said.
Police, meanwhile, offered few new details of the investigation.
Jim Cessford of Delta police said to ensure the integrity of the investigation, further information would not be released.
Robinson, who has not been identified by police, has not been charged. He was released from custody on a promise to appear after failing a breathalyzer test. He is scheduled to appear in Surrey Provincial Court Jan. 15, 2008.
In their statement, the Hutchinson family expressed thanks for the support they've received from the Delta police and the larger community.
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