Harry Dunn crash driver Anne Sacoolas ‘ready to face virtual trial’ as she admits driving on wrong side of the road
HARRY Dunn crash driver Anne Sacoolas “is ready to take part in a virtual trial” after revealing she was on the wrong side of the road when she hit the teen motorcylist.
The American – who fled the UK in the wake of the high-profile tragedy – made the apparent admission in a lengthy statement issued by her lawyers tonight.
She was charged with causing the 19-year-old’s death by dangerous driving following the shocking road crash outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.
The 43-year-old claimed diplomatic immunity following the tragedy in August last year and flew back home to the States.
Her lawyers have now said: “Immediately prior to the accident, Anne made a left turn, on an isolated road with no other cars, and instinctively began driving in the right lane.
“She was on the wrong side of the road for approximately 20 seconds before the accident.”
They then went on to give their client’s version of events while revealing a “virtual trial” is now a real possibility – news which has been welcomed by Harry’s parents.
CRASH TRAGEDY
“Anne is devastated by this tragic accident and continues to grieve deeply for Harry’s family,” the statement read.
“The mischaracterisations of what happened on that tragic day are harmful to all involved. Anne did everything she could to assist Harry.
“After the accident, she ran from her car and tried to help him. Anne then saw another motorist approach and flagged her down for more support.
“The other motorist immediately called for the emergency services and Anne made calls to alert the police from the nearby air force base.”
The statement then claimed it took more than 40 minutes for the ambulance to arrive and nearly two hours before Harry was admitted to hospital.
“Anne did not leave the scene until she was instructed to do so by the UK authorities,” it claimed.
It continued: “We have been and remain willing to discuss a resolution, including the possibility of virtual proceedings, with the UK authorities.
“Anne has never tried to avoid being held accountable for the tragic accident and she would like nothing more than to find a path forward and to provide the family some measure of peace.”
Heer lawyers added: “On August 27, 2019, Anne and her family had only been living in the UK for three weeks.
“Immediately prior to the accident, Anne made a left turn, on an isolated road with no other cars, and instinctively began driving in the right lane.
“She was on the wrong side of the road for approximately 20 seconds before the accident. She was otherwise driving cautiously and below the speed limit.
FLED THE COUNTRY
“The site of the accident was the crest of a small hill, so Anne could not see Harry approaching on his motorbike.
“Immediately after the crash, Anne attempted to help Harry. She waved down another car.
“She stayed at the scene and spoke with authorities who arrived to assist. She met with the Northampton police at her home the following day.
“She provided a voluntary interview several weeks later. She has fully cooperated with the investigation.”
The lawyers then explained her reasons for leaving the country so quickly.
“Anne and her family left the UK approximately three weeks after the accident, after the US authorities affirmed Anne’s diplomatic immunity and determined that it would be difficult for her and her family to remain in the small Croughton community under these tragic circumstances.
“The U.S. embassy informed the Foreign Office of this decision and instructed Anne to return home, and she and her family then flew back on a commercial flight.”
A virtual trial is reportedly being considered by the Attorney General despite a recent letter sent by the CPS describing the idea as “an unprecedented legal scenario”, reports PA.
It read: “Nothing at this stage has been ruled in or ruled out but it must be remembered that holding a virtual trial would be an unprecedented legal scenario.
“Before such a step could be even contemplated, a host of factors (both legal and diplomatic) would have to be considered.”
FAMILY PLEASED
Following a meeting with the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Dunn’s spokesman Radd Seiger said Harry’s parents – Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn – would only accept a virtual trial if held under UK law.
Mrs Charles told PA tonight: “I am really pleased to learn that Mrs Sacoolas is both interested in and willing to consider a virtual trial in the UK.
“It is so important that we move this forward. I need to know what happened to my son and how he died.
“But let me be absolutely clear, we will only entertain a virtual trial if she goes through an English trial and then serves any sentence that is handed down, assuming she is convicted.
“She is of course innocent of any charge until proven otherwise but there is no way we would agree to anything other than that.
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“She was residing in this country, did not have diplomatic immunity as the DPP has made clear, is charged with a serious motoring offence, and must answer to it here. There is no other way.”
The family’s spokesman has now urged the Attorney General to bypass the US administration and go straight to Sacoolas’s lawyers to make this possibility a reality.
“There can be no further delay for the sake of these parents – they are suffering intolerable pain,” said Mr Seiger.