Ridge Alkonis

On May 29, 2021, Alkonis was driving his wife and three children back from a day trip to Mt. Fuji. He lost consciousness behind the wheel and drifted across the oncoming traffic lane and into a restaurant parking lot, crashing into several parked vehicles and pedestrians. A Japanese family of four, an elderly couple along with their daughter and son-in-law, were celebrating the mother's birthday at the restaurant. The 85-year-old mother and the 54-year-old son-in-law died as a result of this crash, while the daughter and wife of the other victims was injured.[2][3] Two occupants of the minivan Alkonis was driving also received extensive care at a hospital for neck and back pain.[4]

Alkonis pled guilty to negligent driving in hopes of receiving a suspended sentence. He wrote letters of apology and paid the bereaved families more than $1.6 million in extrajudicial restitution to the victims' families.[5][6] At trial, Alkonis said he had been suffering from “acute mountain sickness” and that about five minutes before the crash "I felt my body get weak, and my car drifted out of the lane, but I was able to quickly correct it."[7] He added that he “should have immediately stopped my car" but continued to drive. Alkonis stated that his wife Brittany had also been feeling nauseous from the changes in elevation, leading her to lean her seat back and dose off shortly before the accident.[8] Five minutes later, Alkonis said, he began to talk with one of his children when he “lost his memory” and the crash ensued.

In October 2021, the Shizuoka District Court sentenced Alkonis to three years in prison for negligent driving resulting in death and injury, declaring that he should have pulled over once he felt drowsy. Alkonis appealed the judgement to have his sentence reduced.

In July 2022, a Tokyo High Court appellate panel of three judges upheld the Shizuoka District Court's judgement of a three-year prison term. The panel stated that Alkonis was negligent in falling asleep and failing to stop the car when he felt drowsy.[9][10] Alkonis did not appeal the High Court’s decision and has been imprisoned since September 2022.

The US Navy conducted its own investigation of the accident and states in an accident report obtained by The New York Times and Military.com that Ridge “fell asleep” at the wheel and that his Toyota left the road and slammed into five cars outside a restaurant.[11][12] It was completed by US military police officers who responded to the accident.

The accident report states that Alkonis' wife, Brittany, told the responding military officers that her husband "had fallen asleep at the wheel of the vehicle" and that they both "woke up when they felt the impact." The military first responders also concluded that "after reviewing the evidence on scene and statements gathered … [Alkonis] fell asleep while driving."

The report states that the family was able to access medical care at the accident site and Alkonis didn't display signs of injury or distress. Under the injury heading, it says two of the occupants of the minivan Alkonis was driving were seen by Japanese emergency medical services after reporting neck and back pain and that they received extensive care at a hospital. Their names were redacted. The report makes no mention of Alkonis, whose name is unredacted, reporting any injuries.

Military.com states that the accident report was the basis of the charges brought against Alkonis by Japanese prosecutors.[13]

Although Alkonis pled guilty, he requested a lenient sentence based on the argument that he was suffering from acute mountain sickness -- a condition brought on by the reduced levels of oxygen found at higher altitudes that causes dizziness, fatigue and headaches. This diagnosis first became public during his trial testimony. The main evidence came from a screening Alkonis underwent as part of a Navy evaluation done a full month after the accident. Two doctors — a general practitioner and a neurologist — diagnosed Alkonis with acute mountain sickness.[14]

According to a report produced by a US Navy officer who served as a US government observer at the trial, the Shizuoka District Court judge rejected the acute mountain sickness defense given where on Mount Fuji Alkonis and his family began their drive home and because "the symptoms of mountain sickness are alleviated gradually as the altitude is lowered."[15] The site of the accident is about 1,000 feet above sea level, as compared to the more than 7,000-foot elevation of the Mount Fuji station from which Alkonis and his family set off. The same report states that Alkonis testified that after the crash he tried to help move the car that had trapped one of the victims. He also told the court that he saw a Japanese rescue worker talking with his wife and that he "tried to help translate for their conversation."

Medical experts have expressed skepticism of the acute mountain sickness defense. Peter Bärtsch, a specialist in high-altitude illnesses at Heidelberg University in Germany told The New York Times that a sudden loss of consciousness because of mountain sickness would not have been possible under the circumstances.[16]

In December 2022, Navy Times reported on the status of Alkonis' pay and benefits:

Family members of the 34-year-old sailor have lobbied the White House to seek early release for Alkonis. But Defense Department officials have said they respect the Japanese legal process, and last month said they would cut off pay and benefits for the service member and his family at the end of December. Alkonis had relied on unused leave and other time off to avoid being cut off from his military salary sooner. When it ran out, military officials classified him as absent in violation of orders, and made the pay decision.[17]

Senate lawmakers added language in sec. 8145 of the FY23 federal budget omnibus bill to order the Navy to sustain Alkonis' "pay and allowances".[18]