There is general agreement Mary Jo died of asphyxiation rather than drowning. Kennedy claimed he never knew how he got out. There is also the theory there was a second passenger, Rosemary Keough, and that she and Kennedy exited the car either through a door or window.
The significance to me, however, is that he had to close the door, effectively causing her death. Anyone else would be doing hard time. Melissa Lafsky said on the Huffington Post, “Who knows — maybe [Mary Jo Kopechne]’d feel it was worth it.” We need to address the destruction of this country by taking back congress....Otherwise, these loons will win..