These motorcycles, stored at Nago Police Station in Nago city, Okinawa on May 16, 2025, were involved in a fatal collision the previous day. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)
A Marine motorcyclist was killed and another was injured in a three-vehicle accident Thursday in northern Okinawa, according to the Marine Corps and local police.
Cpl. Nathaniel E. Curtis, 21, from Ohio, was pronounced dead at 3:14 a.m. Friday, wing spokesman Maj. Joseph Butterfield said by email Saturday.
However, spokespeople for prefectural and Nago city police said he was declared dead at 9:29 p.m. Thursday.
Curtis served as a digital wideband systems maintainer with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, based on Camp Foster, Butterfield said.
“U.S. Military officials are working with local authorities to investigate the incident,” Butterfield said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all affected by this tragic loss.”
The second Marine was treated and released from a local hospital, he said in an email Friday. He declined to identify the Marine on Saturday.
The accident occurred at 8:33 p.m. in the Koki district of Nago city, in front of Sekita Elementary School, a spokeswoman with the Okinawa Prefectural Police said by phone Friday.
The collision occurred on Route 58, according to a spokesman with Nago police on the phone Friday.
The two Marines were traveling in line in the northbound lane of the two-lane road when the first Marine, Curtis, hit the front left side of a small car in front of him and fell, injuring his head, the Nago police spokesman said at the police station later Friday.
Curtis also hit the guard pipes lining the road. He was declared dead at a northern Okinawa hospital, the spokesman said.
He was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, which is under investigation, the spokesman said.
The second Marine rear-ended the same car and suffered minor injuries. The driver — a 67-year-old Japanese man from Okinawa city — was uninjured, the prefectural police spokeswoman said.
The Japanese driver reported the accident to police. No alcohol was involved, she added.
Some Japanese government officials may speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.
Curtis enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2020 and was promoted to corporal in November 2023. His awards include the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal, Butterfield said.
