Elderly priest dies after Ambassador's car crash

An elderly priest has passed away after having been grievously injured in a car crash in California which involved US Ambassador to Malta Doug Kmiec. The accident had claimed the life of a nun who died on the scene.

Mgr John Sheridan and Sister Mary Campbell were travelling in a car driven by Mr Kmiec when the accident happened on August 25. Sr Campelll, 74, died on the spot and Mgr Sheridan, 94, passed away yesterday after suffering heart failure.

The Catholic News Agency said the accident happened when the Hyundai Accent crashed into a ditch. Authorities have said the accident remains under investigation and that dashboard control adjustments may have been a factor in the accident.

The ambassador had to undergo several surgeries but his condition is now improving.

Writing in The Sunday Times earlier this week, before the second fatality, Mr Kmiec said the car crash that resulted in the death of his dear friend Sr Mary and the serious injury of his confessor Mgr Sheridan would forever haunt his days and nights.

"Many of you know that before coming to Malta, it had been my special blessing to be together often with Mgr Sheridan and Sr Mary. Before that horrible accident a week or so ago now, it was as before as we shared the special joy of being back together for the first time in many months."

See also

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100912/opinion/faith-s-survivor