US diplomat's wife pleads guilty to killing British citizen
October 20, 2022
Anne Sacoolas, a US citizen and wife of an American diplomat, submitted a guilty plea on Thursday regarding the death of 19-year-old Harry Dunn in August 2019.
Dunn, a UK national, was riding his motorcycle at the time near the RAF Croughton air force base in Northamptonshire, England, when he collided with Sacoolas' vehicle.
What to we know about the guilty plea?
In an appearance via video link from the US, Sacoolas admitted her careless driving behavior led to Dunn's death. Dunn's parents were present for the hearing at the Central Criminal Court in London, which is commonly known as the Old Bailey.
British prosecutors have ruled out the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving, which Sacoolas had denied.
She is expected to be sentenced in late November. She could face as many as three years in prison according to British media reports, but this sentence is unenforceable as long as Sacoolas stays in the US.
Sacoolas' departure stirred outrage in UK
During the time of the incident 2019, Sacoolas fled the UK under diplomatic immunity granted by former US President Donald Trump's administration. That decision led to outrage in the British public and press, with Dunn's parents urging Sacoolas be criminally prosecuted.
The UK wanted Sacoolas to be extradited from the US to face the British legal system for her actions, but Washington refused to grant that request.
In October 2019, Dunn's parents visited the White House to meet Trump, with the crash having been called a "terrible accident" by the former president. During the visit to the White House, Trump asked if Dunn's parents wanted to meet Sacoolas, an offer which they refused.
In September 2021, Dunn's parents reached an agreement in a civil suit with Sacoolas, but they refused to give details regarding the settlement.
wd/msh (Reuters, dpa)