Trump addresses fatal accident involving U.S. diplomat's wife, says he gets Britain's 'anger' but 'it happens'

Trump discusses fatal accident in Britain
(Image credit: Screenshot/YouTube/AP)

In a phone call Wednesday, British Prime Minster Boris Johnson raised with President Trump the case of an American diplomat's wife who fled Britain, claiming diplomatic immunity, after a fatal Aug. 27 accident in which 19-year-old Harry Dunn was killed. "The prime minister urged the president to reconsider the U.S. position so the individual involved can return to the U.K., cooperate with police, and allow Harry's family to receive justice," Johnson's office said in a summary of the call, adding that the two "leaders agreed to work together to find a way forward as soon as possible."

Trump commented on the incident at a press conference later Wednesday. He did not name the woman, Anne Sacoolas, but said that he understands "the anger from the other side" but diplomatic immunity is "a complex issue," and "we are going to speak to her very shortly and see if we can do something" so "there can be healing." What happened was "a terrible accident," Trump added. "The woman was driving on the wrong side of the road. And that can happen. You know, those are the opposite roads. That happens. I won't say it ever happened to me, but it did."

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.