Sgt. Teresa Butts, 38, has been placed on administrative leave with pay while authorities sort out the circumstances behind the accident in the 1400 block of New Jersey Avenue NW.

Police said tests on Butts indicated alcohol contributed to the accident, but they declined to release results yesterday.

The matter will be referred to the U.S. attorney's office to determine whether criminal charges would be filed against her, they said.

The pedestrian, a man in his forties or fifties, remained unidentified last night, police said. The man was apparently jaywalking and not in a crosswalk when he was hit at 12:50 a.m., they said.

He was pronounced dead within an hour at Howard University Hospital.

Sgt. Joe Gentile, a police spokesman, said Butts was southbound on New Jersey Avenue when her car hit the man. She stopped her 1998 Dodge Neon after the accident and called 911, he said, and waited for police to arrive.

Gentile said Butts was traveling alone when the accident occurred.

The car has been seized as evidence as traffic detectives attempt to determine how fast Butts was traveling, Gentile said.

Officials are following the same procedures they use in other traffic cases as they conduct the investigation, Gentile said, giving Butts no special treatment.

Butts, a 13-year veteran, worked in the department's training academy. She was released after questioning. She could not be reached for comment yesterday.