U.S. Ambassador to Malta Crashes Car, Nun Killed

CALABASAS, Calif. -- Authorities say a car driven by the U.S. ambassador to Malta crashed in Southern California, killing a nun and injuring a 94-year-old pastor.

The California Highway Patrol says the nun and pastor were passengers in the car driver by Ambassador Douglas Kmiec. Kmiec also received moderate injuries in Wednesday's one-vehicle crash.

CHP Officer Leland Tang says Kmiec was driving a Hyundai Accent on Mulholland Highway near Calabasas when the car veered into a drainage ditch and wrecked.

Tang says Sister Mary Campbell of Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church died at the scene. Pastor Emeritus Monsignor John Sheridan received moderate injuries.

Kmiec was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the island nation of Malta in September 2009. He is a professor of law at Pepperdine University.