Mountie in fatal crash addicted to alcohol, substance abuse expert testifies
Cpl. Benjamin ( Monty) Robinson’s behaviour following the 2008 crash that killed a South Delta man was the result of a “severe” alcohol addiction, a substance abuse expert testified in B. C. Supreme Court in New Westminster.
Dr. Paul Sobey was retained by Robinson’s defence lawyer to assess whether the Mountie was dependent on alcohol at the time of the accident. Robinson is charged with obstruction of justice in the Oct. 25, 2008, crash that killed 21- year- old Orion Hutchinson, when the motorcycle he was driving collided with Robinson’s Jeep at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Gilchrist Drive in Tsawwassen.
The off- duty officer left the scene of the collision, which occurred at about 10: 15 p. m., and walked to his nearby home.
He returned 10 minutes later and advised police he had two beers at a party earlier and two shots of vodka at home. He was arrested and given two breathalyzer tests. Robinson’s readings registered at .12 and .10. A reading above .08 is considered too impaired to drive.
Sobey evaluated Robinson for several hours in January about his mental state, drinking habits and other factors around the time of the crash. The doctor concluded he met five of the seven criteria for addiction. He said the use of alcohol after a stressful event was consistent with the type of behaviour he sees in men who have an alcohol problem.
Sobey added that during the evaluation he determined it was “quite obvious that he was depressed in 2008,” however, he said he could not determine if the depression was a primary condition or related to Robinson’s alcohol abuse.
During cross- examination, Crown prosecutor Kris Pechet pointed out that in 2006 Robinson was one of 36 RCMP officers to take an undercover officer training course. To be accepted into the course, he said, Robinson had to undergo a psychological evaluation and he passed an annual psychological assessment in 2007 and 2008 as well.
The Crown concluded Monday with testimony from Anne Rough who testified that Robinson told a group of people at a 2007 Christmas party how to avoid an impaired driving charge if they were stopped.
“He said if ever you’ve been drinking and driving and get into an accident, you should leave your licence at the scene of the accident and if you’re close to home or close to a bar, you should go and take a few shots and then return to the scene,” she said.