A Staff Sergeant assigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, died in a motorcycle mishap 8 July 2025 in Lawton, Oklahoma, at 2346 local. The Soldier was traveling eastbound when a passenger vehicle attempted to turn into a residential area, resulting in a collision. He was ejected from his motorcycle and struck a concrete wall. Local emergency medical services personnel responded to the scene and transported the Soldier to Comanche County Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Soldier was reportedly wearing all required personal protective equipment at the time of the mishap. It is currently unknown whether he completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse or possessed a motorcycle endorsement on his driver’s license.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 30 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the 21st motorcycle fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Motorcycle safety tips for vehicles turning left in front of you:

• Take a second look to make sure it is safe to proceed.
• Slow down and maintain control of the motorcycle.
• Allow adequate space between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Treat any left-turning vehicle as an immediate threat.
• Stay in your lane and not make an unsafe last-minute lane change.
• Remain idle until it is safe to proceed.
• Do not proceed to turn until all pedestrians and oncoming vehicles and motorcycles are clear.

Tips provided by the NSC, NHTSA and GTSC New York.