A 19-year-old Specialist assigned to the Iowa Army National Guard died in an automobile mishap 2 July 2025 near Mount Pleasant, Iowa, at 1250 local. The Soldier had returned to Iowa following duty at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and was headed home when the mishap occurred. Additional information is currently unavailable. 

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 24th automobile fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year. 

Safety Tips

Stay Alert on the Road: 8 Effective Tips to Fight Driver Fatigue

1. Get a good night's sleep before starting your journey.
2. Take regular breaks.
3. Avoid driving during peak sleepiness hours.
4. Stay hydrated and eat light.
5. Listen to upbeat music or audiobooks.
6. Utilize proper ventilation.
7. Exercise before you drive.
8. Avoid medications that cause drowsiness.

Here are some tips to reduce distracted driving:

• Do not multitask. Finish eating, drinking and grooming before you turn on your car. Program your audio and navigation systems before you start to drive.
• Turn off your phone and place it out of reach when you get in the driver's seat.
• Never text while driving, even when you are stopped in traffic or at a traffic light.
• If you must send or receive a call or text, pull over to a safe location and park your car first.
• Avoid using any device that may take your attention away from the task of driving.