U.S. Envoy in Moscow Recalled After His Car Hits Pedestrian
The State Department has recalled from Russia a U.S. Embassy political attache who was involved in a traffic accident that severely injured a pedestrian.
Department spokesman James P. Rubin said that Matt Bryza, a second secretary, was driving with his wife after a workout when his car struck a woman.
He said there is no reason to believe that the accident was alcohol-related and added that Bryza has no history of bad driving.
“We made a decision that he was no longer in a position to effectively function in Moscow because of this incident and, therefore, we thought it would be appropriate to return him home,” Rubin said.
No request was received from the Russian government for a waiver of Bryza’s diplomatic immunity, he said.
Rubin said initial reports indicated that Bryza wasn’t at fault, but the issue has become more complicated.
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