Police officer killed in traffic accident in Villarrica

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SANTIAGO.- Second Police Sergeant Nibaldo Ruiz died early this morning as the result of a automobile accident that occurred along a route connecting the towns of Villarrica and Pucon, in the Araucanía Region.

According to Radio Bio Bio, the crash occurred just beyond the Candelaria Bridge, some five kilometers away from the town of Pucón.

Authorities from the Ninth Police Station of Pucón have indicated that Sergeant Ruiz, who leaves behind a wife and a five year-old daughter, had been driving home at the time of the accident.

Officials believe that the officer may have fallen asleep at the wheel, causing his vehicle to crash into a mountainside and roll violently, killing the man instantly.

Firefighters arrived at the scene along with police officers from Pucón, officials belonging to the Police SIAT, as well as the prefect of Cautín, Colonel Cristián Yévenes.