THE driver of the car that killed Harry Dunne in the crash in 2019 has made a statement via her lawyer stating that she is prepared to do community service and make a contribution to the teenager’s memory.
Harry, 19 at the time, died after being knocked off his motorcycle near RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire by a car that was travelling on the wrong side of the road.
After months of radio silence, Sacoolas, who fled the UK under the veil of diplomatic immunity, has spoken albeit through her lawyer about the incident. In the statement, it’s said that a similar incident in the UK would not usually be prosecuted criminally in the US, and that Sacoolas has never denied being responsible for the crash.
Sacoolas’ Lawyer, Amy Jeffress was speaking to Joshua Rozenberg on the BBC Radio 4 show, Law in Action. Ms Jeffress stated that they were trying to to find a resolution to the case that would not require Sacoolas to return to the UK.
She said:
"We understand that community service is a typical sentence for offences like this.
"We have offered ever since over a year ago that she would be willing to serve that kind of a sentence and to make a contribution in Harry's memory, to take other steps to try to bring some peace to the family."
"One aspect of this that has not been reported is that this kind of an accident, had it occurred in the United States, would not be prosecuted criminally.
"In the United States, these cases are only prosecuted where there is evidence of recklessness that rises to the level of close to intent - drunk driving, distracted driving, a hit-and-run situation or excessive speeding.
"But there was none of that here."
Then news comes shortly after The Crown Prosecution Service gave permissions to Northamptonshire Police the authority to charge Sacoolas with causing the teens death by dangerous driving.
As a footnote, Drivers found guilty of the charge of death by dangerous driving in the UK will be pursued in a criminal court, with the maximum prison sentence being 14-years.
