Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 20-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Drum, New York, died in an automobile mishap 26 October 2025 near Orleans, New York, at 1300 local. The Soldier was a passenger in a privately owned vehicle that left a gravel roadway and struck a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 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 first automobile fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.  

Safety Tips

When driving on gravel roads, reduce your speed, avoid sudden movements and increase your following distance due to reduced traction and visibility.

• Reduce Speed: This is the most important rule. Drive significantly slower than on paved roads, especially on curves, hills and intersections. Lower speeds make cornering safer and reduce braking distances, as stopping takes longer on a loose surface.
• Drive Smoothly: Avoid sudden acceleration, hard braking, or sharp turns, as these can easily cause a skid or loss of control. Gentle, gradual inputs on the steering wheel, accelerator and brakes are key.
• Increase Following Distance: Maintain at least a six-second gap behind the vehicle in front of you. This provides more time to react to hazards and minimizes damage from dust clouds and flying rocks.
• Manage Dust: Use your headlights at all times so other drivers can see you. If visibility is obscured by dust from an oncoming or leading vehicle, slow down and be prepared to stop. The rule is if you can't see, don't go.
• Reacting to Skids: If you begin to skid, remain calm. Ease your foot off the accelerator (or brakes if you were braking), look where you want to go and gently steer in that direction. Avoid overcorrecting, as this is a common cause of mishaps and rollovers.

A Specialist assigned to the Indiana Army National Guard, Frankfort, Indiana, died in a Government Motor Vehicle (GMV) mishap 14 November 2025 near Whitestown, Indiana, about 1215 local. The Soldier was riding in a convoy movement to drill weekend when his GMV was involved in a three-vehicle crash with two civilian vehicles. Three other Soldiers were injured and taken to a local hospital. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of five Soldiers a year to GMV mishaps. This mishap was the second GMV fatality of FY26 and more than the number of fatalities for the same time last year. 

Four Soldiers died in an aviation mishap 17 September 2025 near Summit Lake, Washington, at 2040 local. The aircraft impacted the ground and experienced a post-crash fire. Additional information is currently unavailable. A USACRC team is onsite and conducting a safety investigation into the mishap. 

Since FY20, the Army has had an average of eight Class A aviation flight mishaps and lost an average of eight Soldiers per year to on-duty aviation mishaps. This was the fifth Class A aviation mishap of FY25 and below the number of flight mishaps during the same time last year.

A Private assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, died in a motorcycle mishap 14 August 2025 near Fort Shafter, Hawaii, at 0238 local. The Soldier was found at the scene on Highway 1 with no pulse by the Hawaii Police Department. He was transported to the Queen's Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Personal protective equipment use, training status, speed, and alcohol or drug use are currently unknown. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 30 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the 28th motorcycle fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Riding a motorcycle at night presents unique challenges, such as fatigue and visibility, that require extra precautions to ensure safety. When riding at night, consider the following tips to stay safe and alert.

• Stay Alert and Avoid Distractions – Fatigue can impair judgment and reaction time, so ensure you’re well-rested before embarking on night rides. Avoid distractions by securely storing mobile devices and focusing solely on the riding environment. Frequent short breaks can help keep you alert during longer rides.
• Use Reflective Gear and Accessories – Wearing reflective gear is one of the most effective ways to enhance your visibility to other road users. Consider investing in helmets, jackets and vests with reflective patches. Adding reflective tape to your motorcycle can also help increase visibility from various angles. The goal is to make yourself as noticeable as possible, catching the headlights of vehicles from a distance.
• Optimize Your Motorcycle's Lighting – Ensure your motorcycle’s headlights, brake lights and turn signals are functional before heading out for a night ride. Upgrading to LED bulbs can provide brighter illumination, and the addition of auxiliary lights can offer additional visibility when navigating poorly lit roadways.
• Maintain Safe Riding Practices – Nighttime riding demands extra attention to safe riding practices. Always use your turn signals before making turns or lane changes. Keep a safe distance from other vehicles and maintain appropriate speeds to allow ample reaction time for any unexpected events on the road.

A Specialist assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in a motorcycle mishap 5 September 2025, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, at 0750 local. The Soldier was riding his motorcycle when he collided with a turning school bus. Local authorities and emergency medical services personnel transported the Soldier to a local hospital, where he died. Additional information is currently unavailable. 

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 30 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the 27th motorcycle fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Just as motorcycle lane position is a critical part of intersection management, so is making sure you’re visible to other drivers. Intersections are dangerous for motorcycle riders, but optimizing your visibility to other drivers can go a long way toward preventing mishaps and saving your life. Skilled motorcycle riding experts follow these best practices when approaching an intersection to maintain their vision of the road while also making sure everyone else has a good view of them.

• Metacognition – Put yourself in the driver’s seat of each of the vehicles around you and ask if they can see you. The answer to this question should always be “yes.”
• Presentation – Present yourself in a way that makes your presence as obvious as possible. When everyone is completely aware of your presence, it’s less likely that you’ll be involved in a motorcycle crash at an intersection.
• Lane Selection – Decide which lane to choose when you’re approaching a larger intersection. In most cases, motorcyclists find that the left lane is among the safest for them because we can easily be seen in that position. Staying in the left lane will help put extra distance between any other vehicles merging or turning onto your street.
• Motorcycle Lane Position – As a general rule, it’s best to stay in the third of the lane that allows you the best opportunity to see and be seen. You also need to choose a position that keeps you farthest away from the nearest vehicle. Choosing correct lanes and lane positions will give you more escape routes and more time to react. It’s important to make an informed decision about your lane positioning and how your position will help with your presentation to the other vehicles.
• Motorcycle Passing – Motorcyclists are at greater risk of getting lost in another driver’s blind spot. Presentation is especially important while passing. Think about the other drivers near you and where their blind spots are; stay aware of when other drivers might lose you in their own mirrors. Minimize the time you spend in another driver’s blind spot.
• Turning a Motorcycle at an Intersection – Avoid waiting until the last minute to set up for your turn, as we see crashes resulting from improper entry speed or lane position. Get into the correct lane in advance of your turn. Once you get into the correct lane, it’s also time to reconsider your positioning within the lane. Plan the line selection of your turn in advance and make sure you have enough space to execute the turn successfully.