However, over time it’s gotten nothing but worse and he’s felt nothing but more alone.”Ĭommunication between the Alkonis family and the Japanese government has been minimal, chiefly because authorities in that country view the case as closed: there was a trial, he was convicted, and now must serve his time. “And one of the reasons why we didn’t say anything initially was because we were sensitive to the family that lost their loved ones and Ridge wasn’t saying ‘Save me’ at the expense of having to drag this family through the horrible situation, too. To see your son being criminalized in a foreign country that he loved, that he still loves … “We keep saying this over and over again because that courtroom was really difficult to take. “Coming down that hill was a tragedy but it wasn’t negligent,” he told the gathering. Just before sunset, the crowd relocated to the plaza in front of the public library where Ridge’s father Derek Alkonis spoke. Many of the attendees carried signs and wore blue T-shirts emblazoned with “Bring Ridge Home.”ĭerek Alkonis speaks with a group of supporters during a recent Claremont rally in support his son, Ridge Alkonis, a 2006 Claremont High School graduate who is incarcerated in Japan. Meanwhile, other family members have led supporters in local rallies, including one in Claremont on September 23 when about 40 people gathered at the corner of Bonita and Harrison avenues to show their support for the Alkonis family. “She’s got signs and is pleading with anyone that will listen to her and hoping to get the president’s attention,” said Emma Garrett, Ridge Alkonis’ sister. Capitol to get the attention of anyone in Congress who might be able to help get her husband out of prison. Since mid-August, Alkonis’ wife Brittany has been lobbying the Biden Administration with daily vigils in front of the White House or the U.S. A subsequent appeal was denied, and Alkonis surrendered in July and is now serving his sentence at Yokosuka Prison in Kanagawa. In October 2021 he was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison. Prosecutors there said Alkonis had been drowsy while driving and should have pulled over immediately. However, the Japanese courts did not agree with the mountain sickness claim. As they returned to the car and began the trip down the mountain, Alkonis lost consciousness while behind the wheel and the vehicle crashed into a parking lot, killing an 85-year-old woman and her 54-year-old son-in-law.Īccording to the Alkonis family, Ridge, 34, suffered a case of acute mountain sickness, an account that was backed up by his pale complexion after he awoke.Īlkonis has expressed his sorrow over the deaths, and his family, with help from friends, has paid $1.65 million in restitution. The family traveled by car to about 8,000 feet in elevation, where they went on a day hike. ![]() Navy lieutenant stationed in Japan, took his wife Brittany and their three children on a day trip to Mt. ![]() By Steven Felschundneff | May 2021, former Claremont resident Ridge Alkonis, a U.S.
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