Haunted by Chappaquiddick

NEW YORK —  In a posthumous memoir, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) writes of fear and remorse surrounding the fateful events on Chappaquiddick Island in 1969, when his car accident left a woman dead.

“True Compass” is to be published Sept. 14 by Twelve, a division of the Hachette book group. The book was obtained early by the New York Times.

In it, Kennedy says his actions in July 1969 were “inexcusable.” He says he was afraid, “made terrible decisions” and had to live with the guilt for more than 40 years.

Kennedy drove off a bridge into the water. He swam to safety while Mary Jo Kopechne drowned. He pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and got a suspended sentence and probation.

Kennedy died last week of a brain tumor at age 77.