A 24-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in a motorcycle mishap 19 May 2025 in El Paso, Texas, at 0130 local. The Soldier recently purchased the motorcycle without notifying his command or registering it with the unit. Additionally, he had not completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse. The Soldier was wearing a helmet; however, information regarding the use of other personal protective equipment, speed and potential factors such as alcohol or drug use is currently unavailable. 

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 30 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the 17th motorcycle fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

• Never exceed the speed limit or ride beyond your capabilities.
• Always maintain an appropriate speed relative to the road conditions.
• Wear protective gear, such as helmets and proper clothing.
• Obey traffic lights, signs, speed limits and lane markings.
• Ride with the flow of traffic and leave plenty of room between your bike and other vehicles.
• Stay focused on the road.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Watch out for pedestrians.
• Anticipate the actions of other drivers.
• Use your turn signals to alert other drivers of your movements.
• Check your blind spots before changing lanes or making turns.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 35% of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2022 in the U.S. were speeding, compared to 22% for passenger car drivers, 15% for light-truck drivers and 6% for large-truck drivers. To date in FY25, 56% of all fatal motorcycle mishaps in the Army involved speeding.