Daughter of motorcyclist killed in crash with RAF Lakenheath servicewoman is 'missing him terribly'
The mother of a motorcyclist allegedly killed by a servicewoman said his two-year-old daughter was "missing him terribly", as the US Air Force insists the suspect should be tried in its military court.
Father-of-one Matthew Day, 33, died after a red Honda Accord car crashed with the Yamaha motorbike he was riding in the village of Southery, near Downham Market, Norfolk, on 26 August.
Airman first class Mikayla Hayes, 23, who is based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, is charged with causing Mr Day’s death by careless driving.
Speaking about the death of Mr Day, his mother Trudi Beston said Mr Day had been with his family "through good times and bad" and had been taken from them "too soon through no fault of his own".
"We thought we would still have many more years together," she added.
"He leaves a heartbroken mother, sister and stepfather. He also tragically leaves behind a loving partner and a two-year-old daughter he adored. His daughter is missing him terribly. She now has to grow up without her daddy in her life.
"We all love and miss Matthew terribly and he will forever be in our hearts, we can’t imagine a future without him here."
More than £1,000 has been raised to cover Mr Day’s funeral costs after a crowdfunding page was set up by one of his friends to "alleviate some of the stress the family are facing".
During a hearing a Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 31 August, prosecutor Caroline Gardner said the US Air Force (USAF) had served the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) with a certificate under the 1952 Visiting Forces Act, asserting its jurisdiction.
If granted, it means Hayes could face a US military court rather than a UK criminal court.
But the CPS will argue that she was not on duty or acting in the course of her duty at the time of the incident, which is said to have taken place as she was driving home from the base.
Major Keavy Rake, the USAF chief of public affairs at RAF Lakenheath, previously said the base was aware of the incident and would “remain in full co-operation with the Norfolk authorities during the investigation”.
Norfolk Police said officers were called to the collision on the B1160 Lynn Road at its junction with Ferry Bank shortly after 4pm.
Hayes was arrested, charged and remanded in custody following a hearing at Norfolk Magistrates’ Court on August 29.
She was later granted bail with conditions of residence at her home in Downham Market and attendance at King’s Lynn police station every Saturday.
Hayes’ passport is to be retained by the USAF, she is not allowed to apply for any documents for international travel, and she cannot leave England and Wales.