Marine Corps
Okinawa police say US Marine was drunk during 10-minute car chase
By
Stars and Stripes July 27, 2023
Matthew M. Burke and Keishi Koja
Stars and Stripes July 27, 2023
A U.S. Marine on Okinawa was arrested this week after leading police on an early morning car chase. (Pixabay)
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — A Marine Corps sergeant was in an Okinawa jail Friday after Japanese police say he was driving under the influence when he led them on 10-minute car chase through several red lights.
Police attempted to question Gunnery Sgt. Leonel Tibuni, 34, after spotting him at 3:24 a.m. Wednesday apparently asleep in his car at a green light at an Okinawa city intersection, a spokesman for the prefectural police said by phone Thursday. Tibuni, assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, south of Hiroshima, instead sped away, leading three police cruisers on a chase that ended approximately 8 miles away in Uruma city, according to the spokesman. Police said Tibuni exceeded the speed limit but declined to specify how fast he was going.
Tibuni refused a Breathalyzer test to determine his blood-alcohol content and was held on suspicion of failing to obey traffic lights, which carries a $350 fine, according to police.
He was re-arrested Thursday on suspicion of drunken driving based on blood test results showing his blood-alcohol content Wednesday was slightly over 0.03%, the legal limit to drive in Japan, the spokesman said. By comparison, all 50 U.S. states have set 0.08 as the legal limit for driving under the influence or while impaired.
Police planned to send his case to prosecutors Friday, the spokesman said. A drunken driving conviction can bring up to five years in prison or a $7,100 fine.
A Marine for 16 years, Tibuni is a Texas native and a support system technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, Maj. Rob Martins, a 1st Marine Aircraft Wing spokesman, said in an email Thursday. “1st MAW is aware of the allegations involving potential traffic violations and takes these matters seriously,” he said. “The Marine Corps deeply values being a part of the community and our long-standing relationship.” Some government officials in Japan may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.
