Nurse 'let down' after American left UK following crash

Elizabeth Donowho said she had been assured the other driver would face the justice system

A nurse left unable to walk after a crash said she felt "very let down" after a US citizen "associated with the secret service" left the UK following the collision.

Issac Calderon, 22, was due to appear before magistrates on 1 December, accused of causing Elizabeth Donowho serious injury by dangerous driving.

A warrant has been issued for his arrest after he failed to appear in court.

Recalling the collision on the A4103 near Shucknall in July, the 56-year-old mental health nurse said: "It happened very quickly, there was no opportunity for me to move out of the way."

Ms Donowho, of Malvern, Worcestershire, said she was left unable to walk for six weeks after breaking both of her ankles and suffering a fractured sternum and a broken bone in her hand.

She has said she feels let down.

"They assured me the other driver would face the justice system, and they had taken all the appropriate steps, and obviously that hasn't worked," she added.

Police have told her that Mr Calderon was working on matters "that might come under the Official Secrets Act", and an "extradition process" had commenced after he left the country to return to Houston, Texas, on a commercial flight on 25 November.

The West Mercia force also told her it had received "assurances" from military police that he would not leave the country, but did not confirm the identity of his employer.

He has been described by the US Embassy as a "private citizen". Police said he had been in the UK on a work visa.

During the court hearing, the accused's occupation was given as an American soldier, according to the Hereford Times newspaper.

Elizabeth Donowho broke both of her ankles in the crash, as well as suffering a fractured sternum and a broken bone in her hand

The case follows that of Anne Sacoolas, who was able to leave the UK when diplomatic immunity was asserted on her behalf by the US government after killing teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn in August 2019 while driving on the wrong side of the road.

Harry Dunn's mother, Charlotte Charles, said she was supporting Elizabeth Donowho.

"I feel the UK authorities have let Harry down all over again, because they didn't learn from him, clearly," she said.

In matters relating to Mr Calderon, it is understood there are no issues surrounding diplomatic immunity. It is also understood police were not advised of his intentions to depart.

He was interviewed by police on 15 August - 15 days after the crash as he had required immediate hospital treatment.

A US Embassy spokeswoman said: "The US Embassy does not comment on law enforcement matters involving private US citizens.

"The US and UK co-ordinate closely on law enforcement matters."