Langley man prime suspect in 'cowardly crime'

Silas O'Brien was killed Thursday morning in a hit-and-run incident in Aldergrove

Lori Culbert, with files from Langley Advance, Vancouver Sun

Published: Friday, March 14, 2008

VANCOUVER - RCMP have questioned a Langley man and seized a truck for forensic testing in the shocking hit-and-run that killed 21-year-old Silas O'Brien early Thursday morning. Police refused to name the man, who was released Friday, because no charges have yet been laid.
The suspect is a 39-year-old Langley businessman who lives on a horse farm. He could not be reached Friday for comment.
Silas O'Brien's younger sister Esther (right) and Jessica Devries reflect beside his roadside memorial this morning.

Photograph by : Troy Landreville/Langley Advance

• Police were at the farm all day, and in the afternoon walked onto the property with boxes of gloves and notebooks.

O'Brien was killed in a stunning incident that one senior RCMP officer referred to as a "cowardly crime."
O'Brien and two friends were heading to Seattle's airport for a flight to Hawaii early Thursday morning when police said their Silverado pickup truck was forced off the road by a white Ford F250 pickup.
The three friends climbed out of the Silverado after it was forced into the ditch, and were standing at the roadside when they saw the F250 - which had turned around further up the road - suddenly return and accelerate toward them.
Two of the men leapt out of the way, but O'Brien - who worked for his family's business installing power poles and was a faithful churchgoer - was struck and killed.
Esther O'Brien paid tribute today to her brother on the Aldergrove roadside where he was struck down.
"The best doesn't describe him," O'Brien said. "He was a phenomenal brother and he was friends with everyone. I'm going to see him again. I will see him again."
The emotional young woman, along with friend Jessica Devries, 18, mourned for Silas at a small roadside memorial containing his John Deere baseball cap, a small pile of flowers, and his favourite chocolate bars.
Police appealed to the public for tips Thursday, and less than 12 hours after O'Brien was killed officers pulled over a Ford F250 on a Langley street.
RCMP Cpl. Dale Carr, who speaks for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, said police are confident they have the right truck.
Police continue to gather evidence to take to Crown counsel, and Carr would not comment on whether police are pursuing evidence of road rage. "That's one of our challenges, proving intent," he said.
He could not estimate when a charge might be laid or what it could be, noting it could range from a traffic violation to a murder charge.
O'Brien's parents expressed appreciation for the outpouring of compassion from the community but, through the police, asked for privacy as they grieve for their son.
Langley RCMP Supt. Janice Armstrong, who spoke to the parents, said the case has been upsetting for officers too.
"We are still in shock and disbelief that something like this could have happened," she said.