British family to sue US woman and govt over death of son

WASHINGTON: The family of a motorcyclist killed in a crash involving the wife of an American diplomat says it is planning to sue US President Donald Trump’s administration over an alleged cover-up.

Harry Dunn, 19, died on Aug 27 when his motorbike and a car driving on the wrong side of the road collided.

In a statement issued through her lawyers and reported in US media, Anne Sacoolas admitted that she was driving. She left Britain claiming diplomatic immunity before she was interviewed by police.

Dunn’s parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, have urged US President Donald Trump’s administration to extradite Sacoolas to Britain, to no avail.

“We are bringing claims against both Mrs Sacoolas in the US for civil damages, as well as the Trump administration for their lawless misconduct and attempt to cover that up,” family spokesman Radd Seiger said.

“The Trump administration is not only hellbent on breaking international laws, rules and conventions on diplomatic immunity, but they have no care or concern for the welfare of Harry’s family or any real intent on finding a solution.”

Seiger said the family’s ultimate goal was for Sacoolas to return to face the British justice system and to “uncover the misconduct of the US government” in allowing her back in the United States.

With a US criminal trial out of question since the accident occurred in Britain, the family was pursuing a civil case, Seiger said, adding that they would seek “significant” damages.