May 25 (UPI) — The former commanding officer of the USS John S. McCain pleaded guilty Friday to dereliction of duty for a crash in 2017 that killed 10 sailors.
Under the plea deal, Navy Cmdr. Alfredo Sanchez was issued a punitive letter of reprimand and was ordered to forfeit $6,000 in wages. Sanchez also agreed to submit a letter of resignation.
“I am ultimately responsible and stand accountable,” he said during a court-martial. “I will forever question my decisions that contributed to this tragic event.”
The USS John S. McCain collided with an oil tanker, the Alnic MC, on Aug. 20 2017, after making a sudden turn in the Singapore Strait. The turn caused the U.S. Navy warship to head into the path of the tanker.
When the oil tanker crew saw the U.S. warship turning, they presumed the vessel could safely pass ahead, the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau of Singapore said in a report in March.
