Drug-Driver Jailed After Fatal Fairlight Crash
A reckless drug-driver behind a deadly smash in Fairlight has been locked up. Christopher Fenton, 40, caused a horror crash on 6 March 2020 that killed Marcus Haynes, 65, and seriously injured his wife.
Deadly Crash on Fairlight Road
Fenton was behind the wheel of an Audi S4 heading east on Fairlight Road at around 6.45pm when disaster struck. He clipped the wing mirror of a Volkswagen Polo coming the other way, then swerved onto the verge before ploughing into an oncoming Citroen Picasso.
The Picasso was driven by Marcus Haynes from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Sadly, he died at the scene. His 66-year-old wife was seriously hurt, while their 24-year-old son escaped with minor injuries.
High Speed and Illegal Drugs
Fenton fled the crash site but was returned by his mother after swapping his footwear. He had serious injuries and was hospitalised, where tests found alcohol just under the legal limit in his blood – but cannabis levels at 6.1mcg, over three times the legal limit of 2mcg.
Experts revealed Fenton was doing approximately 76mph in a 60mph zone before the collision.
Multiple Offences and Tough Sentence
Fenton was first arrested for causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving, then caught again on 18 November driving under the influence with 6.5mcg of cannabis in his blood. He pleaded guilty in January, receiving a 12-month driving ban and £280 in costs.
On 10 May, at Lewes Crown Court, Fenton pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to three years and eight months behind bars, disqualified from driving for five years and 10 months, and must pass an extended driving test before returning to the road.
