A senior official in Central China's Hunan province is being investigated for causing a road traffic accident in which a six-year old boy died and three others were injured, according to Shaoyang city disciplinary inspection department in Hunan on Monday.

The accident allegedly happened during the May Day holiday, while Luo Meiguang, secretary of political and legal committee in Dongkou county under Shaoyang city, was driving a government car.

Luo is accused of seriously violating Party discipline, and has been detained for investigation, according to a statement from Shaoyang city disciplinary inspection department.

He is accused of driving the government car — license plate number of E-4A199 — and causing the incident in Dongkou county last Tuesday.

The three victims — the boy's grandmother and a couple — are still receiving treatment in a local hospital, said the inspection department.