Kennedy - Chappaquiddick

In July 1969, Kennedy seemed a shoo-in for the White House. But a car accident in Chappaquiddick, Mass., that left a young woman dead derailed his rise. In this video, Kennedy explains what happened and calls his failure to report the accident immediately "indefensible."

Updated 04.25.17 4:07PM ET / Published 02.19.09 6:18AM ET

In July 1969, Kennedy seemed a shoo-in for the White House. But a car accident in Chappaquiddick, Mass., that left a young woman dead derailed his rise. In this video, Kennedy explains what happened and calls his failure to report the accident immediately "indefensible."