Rumanian diplomat killed in car accident

JAKARTA (JP): Second secretary of the Rumanian Embassy here, Getoniu Stere, was killed in a traffic accident when his car hit a tree on the capital's main thoroughfare of Jl. Sudirman in the earlier hours of Sunday, a police officer has said.

According to officer Itno from the Jakarta Traffic Police Directorate, the consular was firmly believed to have been speeding in a sedan bearing diplomat plates CD 53-02 when he lost control and crashed into the tree.

Contacted by phone, an embassy staffer confirmed the accident and death of his colleague but said that the embassy still had no idea about the cause of the accident.

"We are still waiting for the result of an official investigation from the police," said the staffer, who refused to be named.

"We're still mourning (the death of our colleague)," he said.

The staffer also said his office had been busy in the morning preparing the documents required for Stere remains, which were being kept at the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital morgue.

Staff at the morgue initially identified Stere as "Mr. X", giving a strong indication that the diplomat's identification was missing at the time of the accident.

Officer Itno said the police are still investigating the accident, which happened at 1:20 a.m. (07)