Mary Jo Kopechne (/koʊˈpɛkni/; July 26, 1940 – July 18, 1969) was an American teacher, secretary, and political campaign specialist. She died in a car accident at Chappaquiddick Island on July 18, 1969, while she was a passenger in a car being driven by U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy.[1] She was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.