Cambridge Police Detective Frank T. Pasquarello said Podkopaev's car was involved in an accident with a car driven by a woman at the intersection of Portland and Warren streets the night of June 12.

Podkopaev was then taken to Cambridge Hospital, where he was treated for a head injury and released.

Friends said Podkopaev was distraught that night over the accident, and was worried about the cost.

Though some have speculated that the pressures of adjusting to the United States for foreign students may lead them to be more suicide-prone, Director of University Health Services David S. Rosenthal '59 said international students are often part of very strong, supportive communities at Harvard made up of their compatriots.

Rosenthal added that this seemed to be the case for Podkopaev.

Friends suggested that Podkopaev's sensitive nature ultimately contributed to his suicide.

"I think he was one of the most sensitive people in the department," one friend said. "He hardly asked for help himself. He was always there to cheer you up."

But the friend added, "People who can go that high up, can also go far down."

Classmates, friends and faculty who knew Podkopaev held a memorial service last week at which over one dozen people spoke.

Friends are paying tribute to Podkopaev by writing their memories of him to his parents.

Students have also organized a collection, the proceeds of which will be sent to Podkopaev's family