The speech by Kennedy describes the accident that occurred on Chappaquiddick Island where he and Mary Jo Kopechne were involved in a car crash, resulting in her death. Kennedy explains how they left a party at 11:15 PM and drove to the bridge, but the car went into a pond due to poor lighting and no guardrails. He claims that he didn't escape from his responsibilities and is seeking advice from the people of Massachusetts to take the right decision.