Man guilty in officer’s death charged in second crash

The man who pleaded guilty in the death of West Shore RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett has been charged with impaired driving in connection with another crash.

Kenneth Jacob Fenton is charged with causing an accident resulting in bodily harm, impaired driving causing bodily harm and flight causing bodily harm or death in connection with a serious crash on May 22, 2016, a month and a half after the crash that killed Beckett.

On May 22, police found a green 1997 Chevy picktruck rolled over on Goldstream Heights Drive in the Malahat area with two people inside, neither of whom were wearing seat belts.

Fenton is being sued by the passenger of the truck, Megan Ashe, who said Fenton was negligent by driving carelessly, speeding, causing the truck to hit a rock and roll over. She also alleges he was impaired by alcohol, drugs and fatigue.

According to the lawsuit, Ashe said she suffered serious injuries including a concussion, a cut and swelling on her head and injuries all over her body. She said the crash has left her with headaches, dizziness and psychological trauma.

Ashe is suing for damages including lost income, temporary and permanent physical disability, pain and suffering.

Last week, Fenton pled guilty to impaired driving causing death and dangerous driving causing the death, in connection with the April 5, 2016 death of Beckett, a 32-year-old mother of two.

Fenton’s pickup truck struck Beckett’s cruiser at the intersection of Peatt Road and Goldstream Avenue.

The sentencing hearing will take place on June 6 at the Victoria courthouse. Fenton remains free on bail.

The maximum penalty for impaired driving causing death is life imprisonment and the maximum penalty for dangerous driving causing death is 14 years.

Fenton’s next court appearance for the May 22, 2016 crash is set for June 27 at the Duncan Law Courts.