UNITED STATES 19 Jul 2009 Mary Jo Kopechne died in Kennedy accident 40 years ago

On 19 Jul 1969, Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts drove his car off a small bridge on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts, and his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, drowned. The senator left the scene and did not report it to the police until the following day. Every fifth anniversary since has been a cue to the media and Kennedy's political opponents to revisit the accident. The question is whether the senator's dire health will win him a break on the 40th anniversary.

Kennedy, then 76, disclosed on 20 May 2008 that he has an agressive form of brain cancer.

Kopechne had been vital member of the presidential campaign team of the late Robert Kennedy, Edward's brother. On 18 Jul she attended a party on Chappaquiddick Island, off the coast of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Kennedy, who is reported to have been drinking, offered her a ride to the local ferry.

Kennedy ultimately received a deferred six-month sentence for leaving the scene of an accident. His defenders claim the legal case proved Kennedy was clear of guilt, whereas critics of the incident assert Kennedy got off lightly because of the popularity of the Kennedy family and political connections.

He wasn’t forced to resign the Senate, but the Chappaquiddick accident virtually ensured that he would never be able to follow his brother John to the presidency of the United States.

Had she survived, Kopechne,would have been 68 on the 40th anniversary. Aug/08