Navy Lt. Ridge Alkonis, who had been serving a three-year prison sentence in Japan following a fatal car crash, is finally on his way back home to the United States, according to his family. Lt. Alkonis’ return comes after his wife, Brittany Alkonis, publicly criticized the U.S. diplomats for allegedly abandoning her husband and called for his release. The Alkonis family expressed their gratitude for the efforts of the U.S. government in facilitating Lt. Alkonis’ transfer and expressed hope that a thorough review of his case would highlight the injustice of his conviction.
Lt. Alkonis, who was preparing for a deployment on the USS Benfold, experienced a medical emergency while driving after a trip to Mount Fuji with his wife and children on May 29, 2021. He lost consciousness and slumped over the wheel due to acute mountain sickness. However, Japanese prosecutors and the judge handling the case claimed that Lt. Alkonis had fallen asleep while drowsy and failed to pull over immediately, leading to the fatal crash.
Following the crash, Lt. Alkonis was arrested by Japanese authorities and held in solitary confinement for 26 days without medical treatment or evaluation. When American authorities arrived to take him into custody and return him to a U.S. base, they found that he was already under Japanese custody. Subsequently, Lt. Alkonis was indicted on charges of negligent driving resulting in death and sentenced to three years in prison.
The Alkonis family’s advocacy efforts have garnered significant support, with people showing their solidarity during demonstrations in Washington, D.C. The family remains hopeful that the Biden Administration will review the complete facts and circumstances surrounding Lt. Alkonis’ case and recognize the absurdity of his conviction.
The return of Lt. Alkonis marks a significant development in his family’s fight for justice and raises questions about the treatment of U.S. military personnel abroad. The case highlights the importance of diplomatic efforts in such situations and the need for a thorough evaluation of the circumstances before passing judgment. As Lt. Alkonis reunites with his family, the focus now turns to ensuring that his case receives a fair review in the United States.
