Drug driver who caused fatal Fairlight crash jailed
Christopher Fenton was found to have more than three times the legal limit of cannabis in his system
A drug-driver, who caused a fatal crash in Fairlight, has been jailed.
Christopher Fenton, 40, self-employed, of Lower Waites Lane, Fairlight, was driving an Audi S4 eastbound on Fairlight Road on 6 March 2020.
He clipped the wing mirror of a VW Polo heading in the opposite direction, before crossing into the path of an oncoming Citroen Picasso.
The Picasso was driven by Marcus Haynes, 65, from Gloucestershire. He died at the scene.
His wife, aged 66, also suffered serious injuries and their 24-year-old son sustained minor injuries.
Fenton initially ran away from the scene but was later returned by his mother before being taken to hospital, having suffered serious injuries himself.
When blood tests were taken, it was revealed Fenton was just under the legal limit of alcohol but also had more than three times the legal limit of cannabis in his system.
Specialist investigators also found he was travelling at speeds of around 76mph in a 60 zone just before the crash.
He was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Fenton was released under investigation but during this time he continued to drive while under the influence.
On 18 November, not even a year after the crash, Fenton was arrested in Pevensey Bay and found to again have more than three times the legal limit of cannabis in his system.
He pleaded guilty to this offence back in January and was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was then remanded in custody ahead of the outcome of the fatal crash investigation.
Fenton pleaded guilty to the offences of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and appeared at Lewes Crown Court on Monday 10 May, where he was sentenced to a total of three years and eight months’ imprisonment.
He was also disqualified from driving for five years and 10 months, and must take an extended re-test should he wish to drive again in the future.
Lead investigator, Detective Sergeant Rob Baldwin, of the Serious Collision Investigations Unit, said: “Tragically, this is another case which highlights the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Christopher Fenton got behind the wheel of his car having consumed alcohol and smoked cannabis, and then drove recklessly.
“He left the collision scene on foot whilst other motorists had stopped to render urgent medical assistance, not returning for over an hour later. Despite the devastation that he had caused, he continued to think it was acceptable to drive whilst under the influence of cannabis.
“Acting on information from the local community, officers from our Roads Policing Unit proactively targeted Fenton, resulting in his further arrest and prosecution. It is clear that he was an habitual cannabis user, who had no consideration for the significant risk he posed to other road users and himself.”