Police Should’ve Arrested Crash Diplomat, Critics Say
Review Slams Police Over Fatal Crash Involving U.S. Diplomat: “She Should Have Been Arrested”
An independent review has sharply criticized Northamptonshire Police for failing to arrest American diplomat Anne Sacoolas, who caused the 2019 road collision that led to the death of 19-year-old motorcyclist Harry Dunn.
The report concludes that Sacoolas “could and should have been arrested” at the scene of the crash and accuses the police of prioritizing the suspect’s welfare over that of the dying teenager.
The collision occurred outside RAF Croughton on 27 August 2019, when Sacoolas, driving on the wrong side of the road, struck Dunn’s motorcycle.
Despite clear signs of culpability—including Sacoolas admitting at the scene, “It’s all my fault, I was on the wrong side of the road”—she was not arrested.
Instead, 19 days later, she left the UK under the protection of diplomatic immunity laws.
Damning Findings and Apology from Police
The 118-page review, commissioned by Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet and conducted by former senior officer Karl Whiffen, identified 38 separate failings in how the case was handled. Among its findings:
- Officers chose not to arrest Sacoolas at the scene, citing her state of “shock,” and failed to initiate a thorough investigation early on.
- Only Harry Dunn, the victim, was subjected to drug testing; Sacoolas was not.
- Officers at the scene failed to capture or preserve evidence using body-worn cameras—one officer’s device reportedly had no memory or battery.
- Dunn’s personal effects, including his clothing, were lumped together with crash debris—compounding his family’s trauma.
In a public apology, Assistant Chief Constable Emma James acknowledged the force’s multiple shortcomings:
“We failed to do the very best for the victim in this case. The family was let down at almost every stage, and we now have a clear picture of how we got this tragically wrong.”
James confirmed she had met privately with Dunn’s parents to present the report’s findings.
Breach of Trust and Leadership Failures
Particularly scathing was the report’s assessment of then-Chief Constable Nick Adderley.
The former police chief made inaccurate public statements about Sacoolas’s immunity and launched personal attacks against the Dunn family’s spokesperson, Radd Seiger.
Adderley was later dismissed for gross misconduct in 2024, after it was discovered he had lied about his military background.
Adding to the family’s distress, the UK Foreign Office delayed informing them that Sacoolas had fled the country, citing U.S. government pressure.
The review accused the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of failing to fully cooperate with the investigation and distancing itself from the fallout of its decisions.
Grieving Mother: “He Was Left to Die”
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Harry’s mother, Charlotte Charles, said:
“To learn that the police prioritized Sacoolas’s wellbeing over my son’s, who was left dying in a ditch, is utterly bewildering. The most basic duties of policing weren’t carried out—and my anger is just as raw now as it was then.”
She also condemned the treatment of her son’s belongings, calling it “inhumane.”
Despite her deep frustration with police leadership, Charles praised the lead investigating officer—who remains unnamed—for their “genuine care and commitment.”
“I am grateful for the transparency of this report, but now we must ensure these 38 recommendations are implemented. No family should endure what we have.”
“The Worst-Handled Case I’ve Ever Seen”
Radd Seiger, the family’s longtime advocate, echoed her sentiments:
“This was a straightforward road traffic collision. That they got it so catastrophically wrong from the beginning is astonishing. Had Sacoolas been arrested, the outcome may have been very different.”
Seiger emphasized that the report places most blame on senior leadership rather than frontline officers, saying,
“We’re not out for vengeance. We just wanted justice. And for six years, we were denied that.”
A Tragic End with Lingering Pain
In 2022, Anne Sacoolas appeared via video link at London’s Old Bailey, where she pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.
She received an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
Her physical absence from the UK trial—despite a lengthy legal battle—only deepened the family’s pain.
Attempts to contact Sacoolas for comment have so far been unsuccessful.
Police Should’ve Arrested Crash Diplomat, Critics Say