Using Git in VS Community 2022, I created a new branch. This deleted the folder I had running after VS crashed. Why?

Question

Is there something wrong with Git's version control for Visual Studio Community 2022, that it deletes entire branches and files and folders within windows explorer?

I previously checked out an early commit in the branch history, but now even the file that that commit represents appears to be gone.

1. I created new branch from an earlier commit for a file that was in a folder called 'src'.
2. In the process, visual studio crashes.
3. Now the 'src' folder no longer exists. The repo still exists, but I can't find the file to open in visual studio which lets me view the repo or the original src code the file contained.