The Chappaquiddick incident occurred on July 18, 1969, when U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy drove off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts, resulting in the death of Mary Jo Kopechne, a 28-year-old campaign worker. Kennedy escaped the submerged vehicle but did not report the accident to authorities until hours later. He later pleaded guilty to a charge of leaving the scene of an accident. The incident raised questions about his actions, leadership, and the political implications, significantly impacting his career and public perception.

In the aftermath of the Chappaquiddick incident, where Mary Jo Kopechne drowned after a car driven by Ted Kennedy went off a bridge, the Kennedy family reportedly paid approximately $90,000 to the Kopechne family as a settlement. This payment was part of a civil settlement and was intended to address the family's loss, but it sparked controversy and debate regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident and the actions of the Kennedy family.

In the movie "Chappaquiddick," which depicts the events surrounding the 1969 incident involving Senator Ted Kennedy, he was not charged with any crime related to the accident. After his car went off a bridge in Chappaquiddick, Massachusetts, resulting in the drowning of Mary Jo Kopechne, Kennedy faced significant public scrutiny. He pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and received a two-month suspended sentence, but he was not charged with more serious offenses such as manslaughter.

"Chappaquiddick" refers to the incident that occurred on July 18, 1969, when U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy drove off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts, resulting in the drowning of his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne. The event became a major political scandal, raising questions about Kennedy's actions that night, including his decision to leave the scene and report the accident the following morning. The incident had significant implications for Kennedy's political career and public perception.