A 32-year-old traffic police officer committed suicide after striking a 7-year-old girl with his car, seriously injuring her, Buryatia regional investigators said Monday.
The police officer, whom investigators did not identify, hit the girl with his Toyota Kluger SUV on Sunday evening as he returned to work at the Ust-Barguzina police station after eating elsewhere, the Buryatia branch of the Investigative Committee said.
It was not immediately clear whether he had been drinking over dinner.
"After the accident, the police officer took the injured child to the hospital and drove off to a forest near the village, where he committed suicide by shooting himself with his service pistol," investigators said in a statement.
His body was discovered shortly afterward.
The 7-year-old girl remained in critical condition Monday, with head wounds and broken limbs, Interfax reported, citing doctors.
Investigators have opened an inquiry into the accident.
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