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.
The Marine, assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, was pronounced dead at 3:14 a.m. Friday, wing spokesman Maj. Joseph Butterfield said by email that day.
However, spokespeople for prefectural and Nago city police said he was declared dead at 9:29 p.m. Thursday.
“Military officials are cooperating with local authorities in investigating the accident,” Butterfield said. “Our sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of the Marine.”
The second Marine was treated and released from a local hospital, he said.
Japanese police identified the Marine who died, but Stars and Stripes is withholding the name until it is released by the Marine Corps, which typically withholds identification until 24 hours after family is notified.
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 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.
The Marine 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.
