Ottawa school mourns teen cyclist killed in crash

Students at Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School in Ottawa gatheredat an assembly Monday to remember a classmate killed when a motorcycle struck his bicycle.

Robin Freeman, 16, was riding his bicycle across Carling Avenue near Woodroffe Avenue around 10:30 p.m. Sunday whena 26-year-old man riding a motorcycle with a female passenger crashed into him.

Police said the motorcycle was travelling at a high speed at the time of the crash.

Paramedics tried to resuscitate Freeman, but he was pronounced dead in hospital.

Classmates at Freeman's school remembered him as a friendly Grade 10 student who loved riding his bicycle and making people laugh.

"He was always laughing and never upset," said Jessica Metcalfe. "He was just always happy."

"He is having a good time in heaven," said Bill Maltby.

The motorcycle driver, 26-year-old Kyle Ferguson, suffered a head injury in the crash. He was knocked unconscious and taken to hospital in critical condition. His condition has now been upgraded to serious but stable.

His 19-year-old passenger was also taken to hospital. She was released Monday afternoon.

Speed a factor

Speed was definitely a factor in the fatal collision, said Ottawa police Cst. Alain Boucher.

Alex Bonenfant, whowitnessed thecrash,said he saw Freeman attempting tricks on his bicycle when the motorcycle plowed into him.

"There was a kid popping tricks in the middle of the road and a red motorcycle went down the street, like, quite a bit too fast," said Bonenfant.

Both Ferguson and his passenger were wearing helmets at the time. Freeman was not, butOttawa Paramedics spokesman J.P. Trottiersaid the impact was so powerful that wearing a helmet would not likely have made a difference.

Police continue to investigate the incident and said they may lay charges against Ferguson.