US government told to warn its staff working in Britain about ‘wrong-way’ driving after American diplomat Anne Sacoolas killed teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn in a crash

The US government has been urged to warn staff in the UK of ‘wrong-way’ driving following the death of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn in a crash with diplomat Anne Sacoolas.

A senior coroner for Northamptonshire concluded the fatal collision ‘may not have occurred’ had Sacoolas been familiarised with the Highway Code and driving rules in the UK.

Sacoolas, an American intelligence worker, was driving on the wrong side of the road when she hit Mr Dunn, 19, head-on outside RAF Croughton in August 2019 and caused his death. 

However, 19 days after the incident she successfully managed to leave the UK under diplomatic immunity laws, as she is married to a CIA operative. 

Writing to The Americas Section of the Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office and the MOD, Anne Pember called for for better training of US staff.

The US government has been urged to warn staff in the UK of ‘wrong-way’ driving following the death of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn (pictured) in a crash with diplomat Anne Sacoolas

Sacoolas (pictured in 2021), an American intelligence worker, was driving on the wrong side of the road when she hit Mr Dunn, 19, head-on outside RAF Croughton in August 2019 and caused his death

Ms Pember pointed out Sacoolas had received ‘no familiarisation or any other form of training’ between her arrival and the crash. Pictured: The arrows showing drivers outside RAF Croughton which side of the road to drive on

At Mr Dunn’s inquest, it was heard Sacoolas ‘inadvertently moved’ onto the wrong side of the road, where she drove for 350m before the impact as the motorcyclist travelled out of Croughton.

Ms Pember concluded Mr Dunn had died as a result of a road traffic collision, from which he suffered ‘catastrophic’ injuries which included fractures to all four of his limbs. He died when being taken to hospital.

In a Prevention of Future Death report, she has revealed ‘matters giving rise to concern’ heard at the inquest about driving instructions to Americans arriving in Britain.

She said of the two categories of US workforce at the base – the Military personnel and Diplomatic personnel – only the former received briefing of driving in the UK.

‘Nothing was provided to the diplomatic personnel,’ she wrote, of which Sacoolas belonged.

Ms Pember pointed out Sacoolas had received ‘no familiarisation or any other form of training’ between her arrival and the crash.

‘Prior to the accident she had passed a “throwback” arrow signalling to a driver if they happened to be overtaking to get back to the left hand side,’ she continued.

‘However, [she] had not yet familiarised herself with the UK Highway Code and neither had she been trained in the differences in and significance of road signs in the UK.

‘Had she received appropriate training reminding her to keep to the left and to help her to understand and interpret the UK road signs and markings it is possible the collision with Mr Dunn may not have occurred.’

The US State Department asserted diplomatic immunity on behalf of Sacoolas and she was able to leave the UK 19 days after the fatal collision which killed Harry Dunn (pictured)

It follows Mr Dunn’s family (mother Charlotte Charles seen) expressing their bitter disappointment at Sacoolas failing to turn up for any of the 19-year-old’s four-day inquest 

Ms Charles is seen with Mr Dunn’s twin brother Niall at his second funeral, held after human tissue was found on clothing which had been returned to the family

It follows Mr Dunn’s family expressing their bitter disappointment at Sacoolas failing to turn up for any of the 19-year-old’s four-day inquest.  

Speaking at court in June, Mr Dunn’s mother, Charlotte Charles, reiterated her ‘disgust’ at Sacoolas and the US Embassy’s decision not to attend – labelling it ‘disrespectful’ to her son and adding that it would ‘forever leave us feeling bitterly disappointed in her’.

Ms Charles said: ‘We have come to the end of our huge fight. Does it bring closure to our loss? I don’t think that ever happens.

‘It further bolsters my opinion that they [the US government] have no regard for myself or my family, our wider family – they just don’t care.’

The family of Harry Dunn were told Anne Sacoolas was willing to attend the inquest remotely provided their lawyer did not ask questions.

Sacoolas’ evidence was delayed twice during the inquest in Northampton, after eleventh hour talks were held to further invite her to attend.

The Dunn family were told that the 45-year-old could have potentially agreed to give live evidence, but only on the condition that questions came only from the coroner and not the family’s lawyer Patrick Gibbs KC.

Family spokesman Radd Seiger said the parents rejected the proposal.

Mr Dunn’s father Tim Dunn alongside his wife Tracey Dunn holding tissues the second funeral in March 2024

Pictured: Artist’s impression of Sacoolas appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court via video-link from the United States in 2022, where she pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving

‘What on earth were they thinking of?’ He said.

‘Who would seek to restrict a grieving family’s opportunity to understand how their son died in that way.

‘This appeared to us to be yet another attempt to have Ms Sacoolas do things in our justice system that suited her.

‘As much as the family wanted to hear from her, they are principled people and believe in doing things according to the rules.’

Sacoolas appeared before a High Court judge at the Old Bailey via video-link in December 2022, where she pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.

She was advised against attending her sentencing hearing by her employer, which prompted the family to say they were ‘horrified’ that the US government was ‘actively interfering in our criminal justice system’.

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb handed her an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.