I have a lot of thoughts about the death of UK motorcyclist Harry Dunn. His passing, which occurred a few years back and covered by RideApart at the time, is certainly a tragedy. Not only in that Dunn died because of a mindless mistake by Anne Sacoolas, but also in that she faced no real punishment and Dunn's family received no real closure.
For those unfamiliar with Dunn's death, American Anne Sacoolas was working in the UK at the time for the US State Department and was driving home one day. She turned onto a road, but instead of understanding that the Brits drive on the opposite side of the road compared to the US, she just drove "normally," as she puts it.
And that's when she struck and killed Dunn.
Two years ago, she was sentenced to an eight-month prison term. But in reality, she faced no jail time at all as it was suspended for 12 months, meaning if Sacoolas didn't commit any crimes in the UK over the next year, she was free to go. Not hard when you don't live in the country, is it?
Recently, however, Sacoolas was back in the media as a new inquest into the accident released statements by the American. And, honestly, they just make her actions, as well as how she skirted responsibility, look even worse than they already did. Especially since she left the country claiming "diplomatic immunity" after she killed Dunn.
"I deeply regret having caused this accident. I made a tragic mistake that I will live with every single day for the rest of my life," the BBC reports on Sacoolas' latest statements, adding, "There is not a single day that goes by that Harry is not on my mind and I am deeply sorry for the pain that I have caused."
But if that were the case, why not face the family? Why not agree to the "coroner's invitation to give live evidence to the inquest"? Why claim diplomatic immunity immediately after the accident?
Sacoolas wasn't present at this latest inquest.
Harry's family isn't having it either. Speaking to the BBC through the family's lawyer, "We have heard most of that before. Why on earth is Sacoolas not in court to answer the court's and the family's questions?"
They're not wrong.
