Los Angeles, Calif., Aug 28, 2010 / 05:49 am
Authorities released more details surrounding a car accident earlier this week which killed a 74-year-old religious sister and caused serious injuries to a priest and Ambassador Doug Kmiec.
Preliminary Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and California Highway Patrol reports state that at about 1:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 25, Ambassador to Malta Doug Kmiec, Our Lady of Malibu pastor Msgr. John Sheridan, and Sister Mary Campbell were involved in a one car collision at Mulholland Highway and Malibu Canyon Road.
Sr. Mary Campbell, who, according to Malibu Surfside News taught generations of Our Lady of Malibu students, died at the scene.
Ambassador Kmiec, along with 94-year-old Msgr. Sheridan suffered injuries. After surgeries at the UCLA Medical Center Trauma Center, the ambassador is reported to be in good condition and improving. Although doctors have been able to stop most of Msgr. Sheridan's internal bleeding, he has been treated for several broken ribs and remains in critical condition. The priest is also being carefully monitored for pneumonia and infection.
California Highway Patrol Officer Leland Tang said Ambassador Kmiec was driving westbound on Mullholland when his 2009 Hyundai Accent crashed into a drainage ditch after veering off the road.
Tang reported that the cause of Kmiec losing control of the vehicle is unknown.
Authorities have said the accident remains under investigation and that dashboard control adjustment may be a factor in the collision.
According to Malibu Surfside News, Archbishop of Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahoney visited the hospital Wednesday night and issued a statement asking the local community and those elsewhere to “please keep all three of these wonderful and devoted disciples of Jesus Christ very much in your prayers.”
Our Lady of Malibu announced plans to schedule a blood drive in Msgr. Sheridan's name.