CTV News has learned the identity of the driver involved in a crash that killed a popular RCMP officer on Vancouver Island this week.
Const. Sarah Beckett, a 32-year-old married mother-of-two, was fatally injured when a pickup truck T-boned her cruiser early Tuesday morning in Langford.
Sources have since identified Jake Fenton as the driver of the truck.
Fenton hasn’t been charged with a crime and was released Wednesday after about 24 hours in custody.
Witness Jordan Coons was at the crash scene, and said he saw the truck going "ridiculously fast" then slam into the police cruiser.
Coons tried to help Beckett, who was pinned in her vehicle, before turning his attention to the truck driver.
“We were trying to stand there and another officer came by, handcuffed him to the wheel,” he said.
Coons said he couldn’t smell alcohol and that the driver was cooperative with police.
“He was definitely in distress but at the same time he was very remorseful and asking about the other vehicle. He asked about the cop,” he said.
Mounties will not confirm or deny whether Fenton was the person taken into custody.
On Wednesday, police confirmed a criminal probe into the collision is ongoing, and that investigators and analysts are continuing to gather evidence.
“As with any criminal fatal crash investigation, investigators will take the time necessary to gather all information and consult with Crown Counsel with respect to applicable charges,” Cpl. Janelle Shoihet said in a release.
Becket was an 11-year veteran of the RCMP, and her death has triggered an outpouring of grief and support in the community.
An impromptu memorial popped up outside the West Shore detachment, where she was a member, and a candlelit vigil has been planned at the crash site for Sunday.
A GoFundMe page has also been set up to raise money for Beckett's family. By Wednesday afternoon it had raised more than $50,000 in donations.
The fundraiser, started by two Victoria-area car clubs, says all donations will be given to the West Shore RCMP to give to Beckett’s family.
