After months of uncertainty, charges have been approved in a high-profile crash that claimed the life of a West Shore Mountie earlier this year.
Kenneth Jacob Fenton faces charges including impaired driving causing death, flight from police causing death and dangerous driving causing death, the Criminal Justice Branch confirmed Wednesday.
The charges come after a months-long investigation into the April 5 crash by several police agencies.
Const. Sarah Beckett, a 32-year-old wife and mother of two, was killed when her police cruiser was struck in the intersection of Peatt Road and Goldstream Avenue around 3:30 a.m.
Fenton was taken into custody at the scene, but he was released without being charged the next day.
The IIO launched an investigation after it was revealed that Mounties tried to stop a suspect vehicle minutes before the collision.
He was later believed to have been involved in a separate Langford rollover in May, but RCMP didn’t confirm whether he was involved.
Fenton is also charged with driving with a blood alcohol content in excess of 80 milligrams, as well as refusing to provide a blood sample upon demand by police when he knew, or ought to have known, that his operation of a vehicle caused an accident resulting in death.
Beckett was honoured in an emotional regimental funeral ceremony attended by thousands of members of the public, fellow Mounties, friends and family.
Her family has been notified of the recent charges and is requesting privacy, according to a statement from Island District RCMP.
"As this is now before the courts, it would be inappropriate for me to comment, other than to say thank you, once again, to the community for the overwhelming support we have received," Chief Supt. Ray Bernoties said.
Fenton was taken into custody after charges were laid but later released on an undertaking to appear in court on Sept. 29, according to a Crown lawyer. He'll report to a bail supervisor and must remain in B.C., notify police of any address changes, and surrender his passport. He must also abstain from consuming alcohol or illicit drugs.
