Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 21-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in an automobile mishap 9 August 2026 on the installation at 0257 local. The Soldier’s pickup truck struck a curb and overturned. Local police and emergency medical services personnel responded to the scene, where the Soldier was pronounced dead. Police reported that the Soldier was traveling at an excessive speed at the time of the crash. The use of personal protective equipment, training, and the involvement of alcohol or drugs are currently unknown. Additional information is unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 29th automobile fatality of FY26 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Fatigue and Endurance Management

• Avoid High-Risk Hours: Refrain from driving between 2400 and 0600, when the body’s natural circadian rhythm demands sleep, as fatigue is a leading contributor to off-duty fatalities.
• Plan Safe Rest Cycles: Follow the principles in the Leader’s Guide to Soldier and Crew Endurance. Limit total driving time to eight to 10 hours a day and schedule a 15-minute rest stop every two hours or 100 miles.
• Utilize Travel Planning Tools: Complete a Travel Risk Planning System (TRiPS) assessment before taking leave or pass travel to evaluate route hazards and fatigue risk factors.

Speed Control and Defensive Driving

• Adjust to the Environment: Slow down immediately when driving in reduced visibility or on unfamiliar roadways.
• Control the Vehicle’s Kinetic Energy: High speeds dramatically reduce reaction times and increase the probability of a vehicle rolling over during a sudden maneuver or curb strike.
• Enforce 100% Seat Belt Use: Ensure every occupant in your vehicle is fully buckled up before putting the vehicle in gear. The seat belt is your primary defense in a rollover.

Official Soldier Safety Resources

• U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center: Your primary tactical resource for safety campaigns, driver training and mishap stats (https://safety.army.mil).
• TRiPS (Travel Risk Planning System): Use this online assessment to map your route and identify hazards before taking leave, pass or PCS travel (https://trips.safety.army.mil/).
• Army Regulation 385-10, The Army Safety and Occupational Health Program: The standard for force preservation and safety guidelines on and off duty.
• Leader’s Guide to Soldier and Crew Endurance: Guidance and tools for managing sleep cycles and avoiding fatigue during operations and travel (https://safety.army.mil/Portals/0/Documents/ON-DUTY/MILITARYOPERATIONSANDTRAINING/Standard/Leaders-Guide-for-Crew-Endurance.pdf).

A 23-year-old Private Second Class assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, died in an off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 2 August 2026 in Killeen, Texas, at 0500 local. The Soldier was walking along the roadway when he was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene. He was then struck by a second vehicle, whose driver stopped and rendered aid. The Soldier sustained fatal injuries. The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit is investigating the mishap. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of four Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This was the second off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatality of FY26 and below the number of off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

• Be Predictable: Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
• Walk on Sidewalks: Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
• Walk Facing Traffic: If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
• Keep Alert: Keep alert at all times. Don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.
• Use Crosswalks: Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
• Cross Safely: If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely. Continue watching for traffic as you cross.
• Make Eye Contact: Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach to make sure you are seen.
• Be Visible: Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
• Watch for Cars: Watch out for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots.
• Avoid Alcohol and Drugs: Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking. They impair your abilities and your judgment.

For more information, check out the Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation In the Spotlight Series on Pedestrian Safety: https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/Home-and-Family/Off-Duty-Safety-Awareness-Presentation-2026.

A 27-year-old Sergeant assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard, Hampton, Virginia, died in an automobile mishap 1 July 2026 in York County, Virginia, at 0330 local. The Soldier, serving on active-duty special work orders and in a leave/pass status, was driving on the interstate when his vehicle ran off the road, struck a tree and overturned. His passenger, a fellow National Guard Soldier in a non-duty status, sustained a concussion. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 28th automobile fatality of FY26 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Fatigue Management and Late-Night Driving (The ‘No-Fail’ Rules)

• Respect the Danger Zone (2400—0600): Your body is hardwired to sleep during these hours, so avoid driving.
• Get Enough Sleep: Do not hit the road without at least eight hours of restorative sleep.
• Cap Your Drive Time: Limit yourself to a maximum of eight hours of driving per day. Your total travel time, including rest stops, must never exceed 10 hours.
• Execute Pauses: Schedule a mandatory 15-minute rest stop every two hours or 100 miles. Get out, stretch and get your blood flowing.
• Deploy the Buddy System: When traveling with other passengers, establish a rotating operator schedule. Rotate drivers every two hours on long trips.
• Recognize the Warning Signs: If you are drifting lanes, yawning or cannot remember the last mile, pull over immediately. No destination is worth your life or the life of your passenger.

Official Soldier Safety Resources

• U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center: Your primary resource for safety campaigns, driver training and mishap stats (https://safety.army.mil).
• TRiPS (Travel Risk Planning System): Use this online assessment to map your route and identify hazards before taking leave, pass or PCS travel (https://trips.safety.army.mil/).
• Army Regulation 385-10, The Army Safety and Occupational Health Program. The standard for force preservation and safety guidelines on and off duty.
• DoD Instruction 6055.04, DoD Traffic Safety Program. Establishes the driving safety standards that all service members are required to follow.

A 21-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in an automobile mishap 16 July 2026 near Goldman, West Virginia, at 0730 local. The Soldier’s vehicle was struck by a civilian truck that crossed the median. After the initial crash, two other vehicles struck the disabled vehicles. The Soldier, who was in a leave/pass status, and the civilian truck driver were pronounced dead at the scene. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the mishap. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 27th automobile fatality of FY26 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Key defensive driving takeaways include:

• Active Scanning: Scan 10-15 seconds ahead to detect erratic driving or median-crossing vehicles early.
• Space Cushion and Escape Routes: Maintain a generous distance from vehicles ahead and identify "out" zones (shoulders/adjacent lanes) to avoid head-on crashes.
• Post-Collision Safety: If your vehicle is disabled, activate hazards immediately and, if safe, exit the roadway to stand behind a protective barrier.
• Risk Assessment: Always complete a Travel Risk Planning System (TRiPS) assessment before leave or pass travel.

Fatigue Management:

• Driving Limits: Limit driving to a maximum of eight hours or 350-400 miles per day.
• Rest Breaks: Take a mandatory 15-minute break every two hours or 100 miles.
• Pre-Trip Sleep: Ensure seven to eight hours of sleep before departure. Never drive immediately after a full duty shift.
• Warning Signs: Pull over immediately if you experience heavy eyelids, frequent yawning, or lane-drifting.

Environmental Hazards:

• Extreme Heat: Regularly monitor your engine temperature gauge and inspect cold tire pressure to prevent blowouts.
• Rain and Hydroplaning: Reduce speed during heavy rain. Do not use cruise control on wet roads.
• Winter Conditions: Clean all ice/snow from windshields and lights. Increase following distances to eight to 10 seconds. Avoid abrupt braking.

Resources:

• U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center (USACRC): https://safety.army.mil/
• Travel Risk Planning System (TRiPS): Online assessment portal for military leave and pass travel
• Army Regulation (AR) 385-10, The Army Safety Program

A 19-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in an automobile mishap 27 June 2026 near Sherman, Texas, at 0046 local. The Soldier was traveling eastbound on the highway when an oncoming truck towing a flatbed trailer attempted a U-turn. The truck failed to yield the right-of-way, crossing into the eastbound lanes and directly into the Soldier’s path. The Soldier’s vehicle struck the rear of the trailer and wedged underneath it, resulting in fatal injuries. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 26th automobile fatality of FY26 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Key Risk Factors Identified

• Night driving and low visibility: Flatbed trailer profiles are notoriously difficult to detect in low-light conditions.
• Driver fatigue: This mishap occurred during the body's natural circadian low (0046), where reaction times are severely degraded.
• Commercial vehicle hazards: Sharing rural highways with slow-moving, high-clearance commercial vehicles requires heightened vigilance.

Defensive Driving and Large-Vehicle Hazard Mitigation: To prevent devastating collisions with slow-moving commercial trucks and trailers, military personnel must actively apply the following defensive driving principles:

• Anticipate large vehicle maneuvers: Semi-trucks and trailers have massive blind spots and require extremely wide turning radiuses. Be cautious when approaching a truck slowing down, as they may attempt unexpected U-turns across active lanes.
• Understand underride hazards: Passenger vehicles are highly vulnerable to "underride" crashes when colliding with the side or rear of a high-clearance flatbed trailer, bypassing the vehicle's front crumple zones and airbags. Maintain a strict four- to five-second following distance.
• Scan 10 to 15 seconds ahead: Keep your eyes moving and scan the highway far ahead. Look for the headlights, hazard lights, or reflective tape of oncoming or cross-turning vehicles.
• Maintain strict speed control: Never exceed the posted speed limit and actively reduce your speed at night or on unlit rural highways to match the range of your headlights.
• Expect the unexpected: Even if you have the right-of-way, proceed with caution when approaching intersections, highway median crossings, or trucks positioned near the shoulder.

Fatigue Management and Night Driving: This mishap occurred at 0046 local, falling directly into the high-risk night driving window. Apply these USACRC fatigue mitigation strategies to ensure safety:

• The danger zone (midnight to 6 a.m.): Avoid planning trips during these hours when the body's natural circadian rhythm demands sleep and driver reaction time is severely compromised.
• Pre-trip sleep requirements: Ensure at least seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep before initiating any road trip.
• Take rest breaks: Plan to stop, stretch, and walk around every two hours or 100 miles. A tired driver is as dangerous as an impaired driver.
• Minimize night driving risks: Although only 25% of driving occurs at night, 50% of traffic fatalities happen in the dark. Limit long-distance night travel whenever possible.
• Counteract headlight glare: Look toward the right edge of your lane (the white "fog line") when oncoming vehicles approach with bright headlights to prevent temporary blindness.

Army PMV Maintenance and Leadership Requirements: Under Army regulations, commanders and Soldiers have specific responsibilities to enforce PMV safety standards:

• Travel Risk Planning System (TRiPS): Soldiers planning long-distance travel, leave, or passes are highly encouraged to complete a TRiPS risk assessment before departure.
• Preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS): Apply the tactical vehicle PMCS mindset to your PMV by conducting pre-, during, and post-trip inspections to identify fluid leaks, worn brakes, or electrical failures.
• Quarterly PMV safety checks: Leaders should conduct regular, formal PMV inspections (such as using the USACRC or unit PMV safety checklists), focusing on seat belt serviceability, tire tread, and safety equipment.
• Enforce seat belt compliance: All occupants in a PMV operated by military personnel on or off a federal installation must wear manufacturer-installed restraint systems. Drivers are legally responsible for passenger compliance.

Resources

• U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center (USACRC): https://safety.army.mil/
• Travel Risk Planning System (TRiPS): https://trips.safety.army.mil
• Army Publishing Directorate (APD): https://armypubs.army.mil/ (For accessing Army Regulation 385-10 (The Army Safety Program) and other official safety pamphlets.)