The Chappaquiddick incident refers to the circumstances surrounding the 1969
death of Mary
Jo Kopechne, a former staff member in Senator
Robert F. Kennedy'
s 1968 presidential campaign.
Edward Kennedy was driving a car with Kopechne as his passenger when the Senator drove off Dike Bridge into the channel between Chappaquiddick Island and Martha's Vineyard. The Senator swam to safety, but Kopechne died in the car. Kennedy left the scene and did not call authorities until after Kopechne's body was discovered the following day. He pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and was sentenced to two months in jail, suspended.