Beth was in a car accident and was rushed to St. Sebastian Hospital where she was a patient of Dr. Christian Shephard who at the time was operating under the influence of alcohol. While Dr. Shephard was operating, he severed her hepatic artery. When Dr. Jack Shephard came into the E.R. and relieved his father from the procedure, he was unable to repair any on the damage. Beth passed away; as did the child she was pregnant with. Her husband threatened to sue the hospital, and ultimately Dr. Christian Shephard was stripped of his medical license.