ISLAMABAD, April 8 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistani Foreign Ministry on Sunday summoned U.S. Ambassador David Hale and lodged a formal protest after a U.S. embassy staff crashed local motorcyclists in Islamabad, leaving one killed.
The ministry said in a statement that Hale was called to the ministry and a strong protest was lodged by Pakistani Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on the tragic road accident.
A fast-moving vehicle driven by U.S. defense attache Colonel Joseph Emanuel hit a motorcycle which was passing a crossroad, local reports said.
Pakistani police briefly detained the diplomat who was driving the embassy car, but did not arrest him as he enjoys diplomatic immunity.
"The U.S. ambassador expressed his deep sympathy and sadness over the loss of life and assured that the embassy would fully cooperate in the investigation," the statement said.
The foreign ministry said that "justice will take its course" in accordance with Pakistani laws and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961.
A case had also been registered later Saturday and the first information report has suggested that the accident happened due to sheer negligence over traffic rules by the U.S. diplomat.
