Harry Dunn’s family reach ‘resolution’ in civil claim against teen’s alleged killer
Harry Dunn’s parents and Anne Sacoolas, their son’s alleged killer, are said to have reached a “resolution” in a civil claim for
damages.
The Dunn family spokesperson, Radd Seiger, said both parties had “successfully” reached an agreement and Harry’s parents would now focus on a pending criminal case.
Nineteen-year-old Harry died in a road crash accident outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in August 2019.
Ms Sacoolas was able to leave the UK following the crash after the US government asserted diplomatic immunity on her behalf.
She was charged with causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the incident in December 2019. The US government rejected the UK’s extradition request the following month.
Earlier this year, Harry’s family were given the green light to pursue a civil claim for damages against Ms Sacoolas and her husband in the US.
It is one of a number of legal processes the teenager’s parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, have entered following the death of their son.
Details of the agreement – announced yesterday – have not been disclosed.
US president Joe Biden has defended the diplomat responsible for the death of Dunn, saying that the crash in which he was killed was “not an intentional act”. Challenged over the case by reporters during Boris Johnson’s visit to the White House, Mr Biden gave no indication that he was ready to reverse US refusal to extradite Anne Sacoolas.
Asked whether the State Department employee would be sent to the UK to face justice, he said only that the case was being “worked on” and he was not aware of its current status. Mr Biden’s comments came shortly after the family of 19-year-old Harry reached a resolution with Ms Sacoolas. “Based on what I’ve been told it was not an intentional act, it was someone who was new to driving on the wrong side of the road,” said Mr Biden. “I expressed my sympathies but I don’t know the status of that case right now.”
Mr Seiger, the Dunn family’s spokesperson, said: “It has come as some considerable relief to them that a resolution to the civil claim has been now been reached successfully between the parties and they can put this part of the campaign behind them.
“It is never easy mounting a legal battle for justice abroad, let alone in the USA, but the family’s courage and determination to see this through has been incredible.”
He thanked Dominic Raab, who was foreign secretary until a recent reshuffle, and government officials for their support.
“We have been made aware that the US government made no secret of their displeasure at the British government’s backing of Harry’s family in bringing the claim,” Mr Seiger added.
The damages claim unearthed a great deal of previously unheard material, such as the State Department roles held by the couple at the time of the crash.
Alexandria District Court in the US state of Virginia heard the pair’s work in intelligence was a “factor” in their departure from the UK, as they left for “security reasons”.
Mr Seiger said Harry’s family feel they “can now turn their attention to the criminal case and the long-awaited inquest” into their son’s death which will follow.
“This is a pivotal point in the campaign, a real milestone. But there is much work left to be done before justice for Harry can be said to be done,” he added.
Lawyers acting on behalf of Ms Sacoolas have been approached for comment.
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