A 21-year-old Private assigned to Fort Moore, Georgia, died in a PMV-4 mishap 2 January 2024 in Fayetteville, Georgia, at 2300 local. The Soldier was reportedly traveling on a two-lane road when he left the roadway and drove into a lake. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) responded to the scene. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including, speed or seat belt use, are currently unknown. Alcohol was present, but it is unknown if it was a contributing factor. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for FCSO to release its final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 14th fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that's one person every 39 minutes. In 2021, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from 2020. These deaths were all preventable.

Driving after drinking is deadly. Yet it still continues to happen across the United States. If you drive while impaired, you could get arrested or, worse, be involved in a traffic crash that causes serious injury or death.

Impaired Driving

Driving a vehicle while impaired is a dangerous crime. Tough enforcement of drunk-driving laws has been a major factor in reducing drunk-driving deaths since the 1980s. Charges range from misdemeanors to felony offenses, and penalties for impaired driving can include driver’s license revocation, fines, ignition interlock devices at owner’s expense and jail time. It’s also extremely expensive. A first-time offense can cost the driver upwards of $10,000 in fines and legal fees.

Tips provided by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.