Intelligence officer ‘confused by road signs’ crashed car leaving woman with broken bones
A US soldier who ploughed into a nurse while racing 70mph in Hertfordshire has admitted that he did not understand British road signs, it was reported.
Isaac Calderon, 23, failed to appear at court and fled the UK after mowing down a woman on the A4103 near Shucknall last July.
His victim, Elizabeth Donowho, was left with serious injuries, and was fortunate to have survived.
The 56-year-old, from Malvern, Worcestershire, suffered multiple fractures in the crash, including both ankles, her sternum and her right hand.
Calderon appeared in a federal court in the southern district of Texas on Monday regarding a potential extradition to the UK.
According to court documents filed in Texas, he has admitted that his driving was ‘definitely not safe’, the Mail reported.
The soldier allegedly admitted he was ‘not at all’ familiar with road markings and traffic directions in the UK, saying: ‘I get mixed up on the signs all the time.’
When he was shown a video of the collision Calderon, repeatedly said to West Mercia police: ‘S***’.
He later asked officers to say that he was ‘really sorry’ to the mental health nurse.
Calderon failed to appear at Kidderminster magistrates’ court on December 1 and left the country for the US.
He fled on a commercial flight to Texas on November 25 ahead of the scheduled hearing.
Shortly after the incident, West Mercia Police said the suspect was not arresteddue to requiring medical attention for serious injuries.
Police previously told Ms Donowho that Calderon had been carrying out work ‘associated with the secret service’ and was working on matters ‘that might come under the Official Secrets Act’.
But according to PA news agency, there are no issues surrounding diplomatic immunity in the case.
Calderon is expected to appear again before a judge in Houston, Texas, on Friday.
The court records suggest a full extradition hearing will be set at a later date.
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