The American woman suspected of killing British teenager Harry Dunn in a 2019 crash in England is willing to do community service in the young boy's memory, but not to return to England for a trial, according to her lawyer.
Anne Sacoolas has "never denied that this was her fault," her lawyer Amy Jeffress told BBC Radio 4's "Law in Action" Tuesday.
Though she acknowledges her client was "instinctively" on the wrong side of the road at the time of the Aug. 27, 2019 crash, having only been in England a short time, Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity and returned to the U.S.
"We have actually been making efforts to resolve this case short of her return," said Jeffress, noting such an accident wouldn't be criminally prosecuted if it had taken place in the U.S.
"We understand that community service is a typical service for offenses like this and we have offered ... 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."
© Provided by New York Daily NewsHarry Dunn
Harry Dunn was killed in 2019 when struck by a car driven by Anne Sacoolas.
Jeffress noted that such a case would only ever be prosecuted in the U.S. if the responsible party had been so reckless that their actions, like drunk driving or a hit-and-run, border on intent.
Sacoolas was found to be sober, and was not distracted at the time by her kids or her phone, according to Jeffress, who said this contributed to the U.S. not waiving her diplomatic immunity.
Though the Crown Prosecution Service approved the charging of Sacoolas in Dunn's death by dangerous driving, the American government denied an extradition request in January 2020, BBC News reports.
Though Sacoolas reportedly accepts responsibility for Dunn's death, Jeffress told BBC Radio 4 she is "not going to return" to the United Kingdom, pointing to her young children in the U.S., the "intense media scrutiny" surrounding her and the alleged death threats she's received.
"But we do want to work out a path forward ... in a way that everyone can move forward," Jeffress, who denied reports that Sacoolas didn't call for help after the accident, told BBC Radio 4.
Jeffress said that mediation is being considered, and if necessary, Sacoolas will comply with depositions. Dunn's mother, Charlotte Charles, told the BBC she wants Sacoolas to answer questions under oath.
"She's willing to meet with the family, to provide whatever information they are seeking, and we truly hope that we can do that and give the family some measure of peace," said Jeffress. "Anne is truly sorry for Harry's family and the pain that this has caused."