Japanese charge accident-causing Marine with DUI

A 35-year-old U.S. Marine who reportedly was driving while intoxicated and then crashed into three cars Friday evening has been charged with drunk driving.

Staff Sergeant Nathan Sales also faces additional negligent driving resulting in an accident charges for the 7:10 p.m. incident in Kitanakagusuku Village.  Sales, who’s assigned to the logistics command based at Camp Kinser in Urasoe City, first denied the charge, but later confessed having been drinking at a friend’s home.

Two people were injured in the crash. An 18-year-old man and another age 53 suffered minor injuries.  Police say they conducted a breathalyzer test on Sales at the scene, and detected alcohol.

The incident was the last in a string of events that over the weekend led senior military leaders to impose new restrictions on service members.  No drinking is permitted on Okinawa by any service personnel after 10 p.m., and liquor service and sales on base now stops at 10 p.m.  Lt. Gen. Kenneth Glueck, the Okinawa Area Coordinator and commanding general III Marine Expeditionary Force has extended the no drinking ban to all Marines Japan-wide, as has Vice Admiral Scott Swift, commander, 7th Fleet.

  • Marineswutrudoingstahp

    Staff Sergeant, you’re a piece of trash. Respectfully.

    • Roo

      I agree!! I also think the friend that let him drive after drinking should be punished too!

  • RROrion

    Causing a accident while impaired by alcohol carries a fine of 1,000,000 yen minimum. Not including what you have to pay to the injured as a apology money. Which has nothing to do with them not working while in the hospital. Your career is over

  • http://www.facebook.com/wu.moreland Wu Moreland

    Back up ten yards and punt…….

  • RayOfSunshine

    Service members can still drink. A retraction needs to be printed with the correct story. The locations where which they may consume alcohol has been restricted but not eliminated.

16:34 29 Mar , 2024