Harry Dunn accused admits she caused the fatal road accident
Harry Dunn accused says she was on the wrong side of the road
Anne Sacoolas, the woman charged with causing 19-year-old motorcyclist Harry Dunn’s death by dangerous driving, has admitted for the first time she was driving on the wrong side of the road at the time of the accident. A statement issued by her lawyers last week said the American national was acting “instinctively” when she left RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on the right-hand side of the road but that she was only on the “wrong side of the road for 20 seconds” before the fatal crash. With no hint of irony, they also added that she was “otherwise driving cautiously and below the speed limit” and that she didn’t see Harry approaching before the crash because he was obscured by “the crest of a small hill”. The incident has caused considerable ire in the past 12 months following Sacoolas’ return to the US after claiming diplomatic immunity. Despite her being charged with his death, officials in America have refused to extradite Sacoolas.
In an attempt to put across Sacoolas’ version of events, her lawyers also added that she “did everything she could to assist Harry” and having flagged down another motorist, immediately called the emergency services. In a move that could be seen as an attempt to divert blame, Sacoolas’ lawyers were also at pains to point out the length of time it took for the ambulance to arrive as well as how long it was before he was admitted to hospital.
In recent weeks the prospect of a virtual trial, or a trial in absentia, have both been raised by Harry Dunn’s family and backed by the local MP, Andrea Leadsom. In response to this, Sacoolas’ lawyers said: “We have been and remain willing to discuss a resolution, including the possibility of virtual proceedings, with the UK authorities.”
Responding to the statement, family spokesman Radd Seiger said that it is the family’s position that “these issues should not be aired in any form other than a court of law” and that they “invite her to do the right thing and return to the UK to answer the charges laid against her”.
‘Invite her to do the right thing and return to UK RADD SEIGER, FAMILY SPOKESMAN