The trial of a former Chatham-Kent police officer took an unexpected twist on Tuesday.
Cristelle Vanden Enden, 47, of Chatham, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of careless driving and was sentenced to two years probation, had her driver's licence suspended for another six months, and was fined $2,000.
Vanden Enden pleaded not guilty last week to criminal negligence causing bodily harm and dangerous operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm in connection to a man being run over in Chatham on January 9, 2021, but those charges were dismissed on Tuesday. The victim survived.
The careless driving charge stemmed from a ride she gave a man to Thamesville and back to Chatham after doing fentanyl with him at a home on Harvey Street where the victim was run over.
She was also fined $200 for breaching court orders while she was still a police officer after being released from Windsor Jail, where he spent four months facing several charges. Vanden Enden was not to have any contact with a specific man and he was found at her unit in Chatham on January 8, 2021.
The remaining charges of fraud, possession of stolen property, and using forged documents were withdrawn.
Vanden Enden's defence lawyer Jim Dean told the court she developed an opiate addiction after a serious car crash at work and was off on medical leave because of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Vanden Enden was also sexually assaulted by a fellow police officer during her turbulent time and her lawyer said that contributed "significantly" to her PTSD. Vanden Enden retired from Chatham-Kent police in April 2022.
"She has been through hell," said Dean. "She lost a job that she loved. This has come at a great cost for Cristelle."
Dean noted jail was difficult for her, going from a police officer to an inmate, adding that Vanden Enden is remorseful about what happened and regrets her actions every day.
Vanden Enden went directly to rehab after getting out of jail and Dean said she is now sober and has attended Narcotics Anonymous twice daily for at least the past year, adding she is to be commended for the work she's done to stay sober to date.
"This is life changing for Cristelle. It's her opportunity for forgiveness," Dean said.
Vanden Enden also has serious health issues to deal with, according to her defence lawyer.
Vanden Enden addressed the court before her sentencing, saying she is a changed woman and wants to start a new career.
"My life is completely different today. I'm going to do everything in my power to stay [on track]," said Vanden Enden.
Her lawyer was looking for a conditional discharge, which doesn't register a conviction against his client.
