Mauritanian Killed in Accident With US Officer Officials say a young Mauritanian was killed in a vehicle accident involving a U.S. military officer. A police official said Saturday the officer slowed down his 4x4 as a man was trying to cross the street Wednesday, but the man then came in front of the vehicle and was hit. The investigating police commissioner said this type of accident occurs frequently in the city, and that police could not establish intent. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the press. A U.S. embassy official said the officer was in Mauritania to train the military. SITE Intelligence Group says that al-Qaida's North African branch released a statement urging Mauritania Muslims to take action over the death, claiming the killing was deliberate.