Romanian police: Russian diplomat runs down woman

BUCHAREST (AP) - Romanian police say a woman is in a coma after she was hit on a pedestrian crossing by a Russian diplomat driving an embassy car. The diplomat refused to take a breath test, citing diplomatic immunity.

Police spokeswoman Ioana Stancu told the Associated Press that a 34-year-old Russian diplomat is being investigated for the accident, which occurred Sunday afternoon in southern Bucharest.

She said on Monday that the diplomat, who was not identified, refused to take a breath test or give other samples.

Ms Stancu said the 19-year-old Romanian student was hospitalised in Bucharest and is in an induced coma. The foreign ministry on Monday said the Russian diplomat was entitled to diplomatic immunity from prosecution on Romanian territory.