Woman who fled after fatal crash could face arrest if she leaves US
THE wife of a US intelligence officer involved in a fatal collision that killed British teenager Harry Dunn could be handed an Interpol red notice, meaning she risks arrest if she ever leaves the United States.
Anne Sacoolas (42) was wrongly granted diplomatic immunity after the crash in Northamptonshire on August 27 when she hit 19-year-old Mr Dunn’s motorcycle.
It is understood Mrs Sacoolas was driving on the wrong side of the road.
She was “spirited out” of the UK on a military aircraft three weeks after the incident and Mr Dunn’s family have been told by the US national security adviser that she will not be returning to face justice.
Robert O’Brien instead tried to orchestrate a meeting between
Harry Dunn’s parents Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, and Donald Trump
the teenager’s parents, Tim Dunn and Charlotte Charles, and Mrs Sacoolas at the White House, to be followed by a photo opportunity where he hoped the parties would embrace.
The family’s lawyer Mark Stephens branded Mr O’Brien a “nincompoop in a hurry” for the failed stunt.
He added: “Having ice in your veins is a very good characteristic for being a spy, but thinking you can treat human beings in that way, you would have to be a nincompoop.
“He’s piled additional grief and hurt on the Dunn family that was entirely unnecessary — he started it by causing her to be a fugitive from justice, spiriting her out of the country on US Air Force transport without telling the Northamptonshire Police.”
The family declined to meet Mrs Sacoolas, although they added that Donald Trump said “let’s try and come at this another way” and were hopeful he would take steps to move the situation forward.
Northamptonshire Police said they would soon submit a case file on the crash to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision.
If Mrs Sacoolas is charged with causing death by careless driving, or a more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving, the force can issue an extradition request or a red notice by Interpol.
The family also have the option of bringing a civil case against Mrs Sacoolas.
Mr Stephens said: “It is often not understood that diplomatic immunity only applies in the host country, so the UK, not in the home country — it evaporates the moment you set foot on US soil.
“It wouldn’t be about money, it would be about trying to ensure she gives an account and has accountability.”
Mrs Sacoolas was wrongfully given immunity because her husband is an intelligence official and was not in a recognised diplomatic role such as military attache or trade secretary.
Mr Stephens said that by making Mrs Sacoolas a “fugitive” it was obvious US officials knew that she was not entitled to immunity, as the purpose of the law is to allow diplomats to continue to work in their host country.
“It’s almost unique, in fact I think it is unique, that someone who is claiming diplomatic immunity has fled from justice and fled from scrutiny of their diplomatic status,” he said.