1996 Padilla car accident
Encyclopedia
The 1996 Padilla car accident involved an American Marine whose car swerved off the road killing Rojita Kinjo, 36, and her daughters, Mitsuko, 10, and Mariko, 1. The car accident happened only a few months after the infamous 1995 Okinawan rape incident
where on September 4, 1995, three U.S. servicemen
rented a van and then kidnapped and raped a 12-year-old 6th-grade Japanese girl. The Padilla car crash caused an uproar in Okinawa due to raw emotions still left over from the rape incident and the continued American presence on the island chain.
in the United States military. She was serving at an American base in Okinawa. While there she bought a car with two other marines.
. Okinawa police stated that Padilla abruptly changed lanes and lost control of her car because she was driving too fast. A passenger, Marine Pfc
. Carrie Smith, 23, and Padilla were slightly injured but the Kinjo family were all killed. Both driver and passenger were taken to a Navy hospital. This led to much criticism as normal Japanese procedure calls for alcohol testing to rule out alcohol as the cause of the accident. The US military refused to provide access to Padilla or administer a breathalyzer test.
The incident brought to light one of many grievances felt by the Okinawan people towards the US military presence. After the Padilla case, in particular, it was revealed that there are over a thousand car accidents a year involving US military personnel in Okinawa. Not until 1997 were US soldiers required to have car insurance, even though cheap subsidized insurance is provided for them.
or blood money. The court ruled that the defendants should pay the money but two had already left Japan and Padilla had no money or insurance. The American government eventually paid 25 million yen and the Japanese government paid the difference.
1995 Okinawan rape incident
The 1995 Okinawa rape incident refers to a rape that took place on September 4, 1995, when three U.S. servicemen, U.S. Navy Seaman Marcus Gill and U.S. Marines Rodrico Harp and Kendrick Ledet, all from Camp Hansen on Okinawa, rented a van and kidnapped a 12-year-old Japanese girl. They beat her,...
where on September 4, 1995, three U.S. servicemen
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
rented a van and then kidnapped and raped a 12-year-old 6th-grade Japanese girl. The Padilla car crash caused an uproar in Okinawa due to raw emotions still left over from the rape incident and the continued American presence on the island chain.
Lori Padilla
Lori Padilla was a Lance CorporalLance Corporal
Lance corporal is a military rank, used by many armed forces worldwide, and also by some police forces and other uniformed organizations. It is below the rank of corporal, and is typically the lowest non-commissioned officer, usually equivalent to the NATO Rank Grade OR-3.- Etymology :The presumed...
in the United States military. She was serving at an American base in Okinawa. While there she bought a car with two other marines.
Accident
The accident occurred on a Sunday, January 7, 1996. At around 1 p.m. on Route 58 at the Kitamae gate to Camp FosterCamp Foster
Camp Foster, formerly known as Camp Zukeran, is a United States Marine Corps camp located in Ginowan City on the Japanese prefecture island of Okinawa. It is part of the Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler complex, and named after the Medal of Honor recipient PFC William A...
. Okinawa police stated that Padilla abruptly changed lanes and lost control of her car because she was driving too fast. A passenger, Marine Pfc
Private First Class
Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term...
. Carrie Smith, 23, and Padilla were slightly injured but the Kinjo family were all killed. Both driver and passenger were taken to a Navy hospital. This led to much criticism as normal Japanese procedure calls for alcohol testing to rule out alcohol as the cause of the accident. The US military refused to provide access to Padilla or administer a breathalyzer test.
The incident brought to light one of many grievances felt by the Okinawan people towards the US military presence. After the Padilla case, in particular, it was revealed that there are over a thousand car accidents a year involving US military personnel in Okinawa. Not until 1997 were US soldiers required to have car insurance, even though cheap subsidized insurance is provided for them.
Trial
Padilla was eventually given a two-year jail sentence and the Kinjo family sued Padilla and the co-owners of the car for 62 million (US$ 580,000 in 1996, US$ in ) solatiumSolatium
Solatium is a form of compensation for emotional rather than physical or financial harm.- Scots law :It is used in Scots law mainly to denote reparation for pain and suffering in personal injury cases...
or blood money. The court ruled that the defendants should pay the money but two had already left Japan and Padilla had no money or insurance. The American government eventually paid 25 million yen and the Japanese government paid the difference.