Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 19-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in an automobile mishap 27 June 2026 near Sherman, Texas, at 0046 local. The Soldier was traveling eastbound on the highway when an oncoming truck towing a flatbed trailer attempted a U-turn. The truck failed to yield the right-of-way, crossing into the eastbound lanes and directly into the Soldier’s path. The Soldier’s vehicle struck the rear of the trailer and wedged underneath it, resulting in fatal injuries. 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 26th automobile fatality of FY26 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Key Risk Factors Identified

• Night driving and low visibility: Flatbed trailer profiles are notoriously difficult to detect in low-light conditions.
• Driver fatigue: This mishap occurred during the body's natural circadian low (0046), where reaction times are severely degraded.
• Commercial vehicle hazards: Sharing rural highways with slow-moving, high-clearance commercial vehicles requires heightened vigilance.

Defensive Driving and Large-Vehicle Hazard Mitigation: To prevent devastating collisions with slow-moving commercial trucks and trailers, military personnel must actively apply the following defensive driving principles:

• Anticipate large vehicle maneuvers: Semi-trucks and trailers have massive blind spots and require extremely wide turning radiuses. Be cautious when approaching a truck slowing down, as they may attempt unexpected U-turns across active lanes.
• Understand underride hazards: Passenger vehicles are highly vulnerable to "underride" crashes when colliding with the side or rear of a high-clearance flatbed trailer, bypassing the vehicle's front crumple zones and airbags. Maintain a strict four- to five-second following distance.
• Scan 10 to 15 seconds ahead: Keep your eyes moving and scan the highway far ahead. Look for the headlights, hazard lights, or reflective tape of oncoming or cross-turning vehicles.
• Maintain strict speed control: Never exceed the posted speed limit and actively reduce your speed at night or on unlit rural highways to match the range of your headlights.
• Expect the unexpected: Even if you have the right-of-way, proceed with caution when approaching intersections, highway median crossings, or trucks positioned near the shoulder.

Fatigue Management and Night Driving: This mishap occurred at 0046 local, falling directly into the high-risk night driving window. Apply these USACRC fatigue mitigation strategies to ensure safety:

• The danger zone (midnight to 6 a.m.): Avoid planning trips during these hours when the body's natural circadian rhythm demands sleep and driver reaction time is severely compromised.
• Pre-trip sleep requirements: Ensure at least seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep before initiating any road trip.
• Take rest breaks: Plan to stop, stretch, and walk around every two hours or 100 miles. A tired driver is as dangerous as an impaired driver.
• Minimize night driving risks: Although only 25% of driving occurs at night, 50% of traffic fatalities happen in the dark. Limit long-distance night travel whenever possible.
• Counteract headlight glare: Look toward the right edge of your lane (the white "fog line") when oncoming vehicles approach with bright headlights to prevent temporary blindness.

Army PMV Maintenance and Leadership Requirements: Under Army regulations, commanders and Soldiers have specific responsibilities to enforce PMV safety standards:

• Travel Risk Planning System (TRiPS): Soldiers planning long-distance travel, leave, or passes are highly encouraged to complete a TRiPS risk assessment before departure.
• Preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS): Apply the tactical vehicle PMCS mindset to your PMV by conducting pre-, during, and post-trip inspections to identify fluid leaks, worn brakes, or electrical failures.
• Quarterly PMV safety checks: Leaders should conduct regular, formal PMV inspections (such as using the USACRC or unit PMV safety checklists), focusing on seat belt serviceability, tire tread, and safety equipment.
• Enforce seat belt compliance: All occupants in a PMV operated by military personnel on or off a federal installation must wear manufacturer-installed restraint systems. Drivers are legally responsible for passenger compliance.

Resources

• U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center (USACRC): https://safety.army.mil/
• Travel Risk Planning System (TRiPS): https://trips.safety.army.mil
• Army Publishing Directorate (APD): https://armypubs.army.mil/ (For accessing Army Regulation 385-10 (The Army Safety Program) and other official safety pamphlets.)

A 23-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in a motorcycle mishap 10 July 2026 in Bladen County, North Carolina, at 1820 local. The Soldier was operating a motorcycle when a tractor-trailer pulled into their path of travel. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the Bladen County medical examiner responded to the scene, where the Soldier was pronounced dead. The use of personal protective equipment, training status, speed, and the potential involvement of alcohol or drugs are currently unknown. Additional details are currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 31 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the 18th motorcycle fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Defensive Riding and Intersection Safety: Directly addresses right-of-way violations, such as the mishap above where a tractor-trailer pulled into the Soldier's path.

• Assume you are invisible: Never assume a motorist sees you, especially at intersections or when a vehicle is turning left across your lane.
• Avoid large vehicle blind spots: Stay out of the "no zones" (blind spots) of tractor-trailers, which require much larger turning paths and stopping distances.
• Establish an escape route: Always maintain a three- to four-second following distance and identify potential escape paths if a driver pulls into your lane.
• Maximize visibility: Keep your headlight on at all times, wear bright/reflective clothing, and tap your brakes to flash your brake lights before slowing down.

All The Gear, All The Time (ATGATT): Mitigates injury severity and increases survivability in the event of an unavoidable impact.

• Wear a DOT-approved helmet: Ensure your helmet is DOT-compliant. Full-face helmets offer the maximum level of facial and head protection. Outside the United States, the helmet should meet the host nation (HN) standards. If the HN has no standard, helmets must meet at a minimum DOT FMVSS.
• Protect your body: Wear abrasion-resistant jackets and pants (leather or Cordura), full-fingered motorcycle gloves, and over-the-ankle sturdy boots.
• Wear eye protection: Always ride with impact-resistant goggles or a helmet face shield to protect against wind, bugs, and flying road debris.

Army Training and Licensing (AR 385-10): Ensures the rider has the hazard-perception, swerving, and emergency braking skills necessary to avoid sudden obstacles.

• Complete mandatory Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) courses: All Army riders must complete the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) and follow-up training (ERC/BRC2 or ARC) within 12 months.
• Keep MSF cards active: Ensure your MSF completion cards are valid and have not expired (cards must be renewed or advanced training taken every three years).
• Obtain a valid endorsement: Ensure you possess a valid state motorcycle license or endorsement before operating a motorcycle.

Pre-Ride Inspections (T-CLOCS): Prevents mechanical failures that could compromise your ability to execute split-second emergency maneuvers.

• Check tires and wheels: Inspect tire pressure, tread wear, and check for bulges or embedded objects.
• Check controls and lights: Verify that the brakes, clutch, throttle, headlights, turn signals, and brake lights are functioning flawlessly.
• Check oil, fluids, and chassis: Check engine oil, brake fluids, coolant levels, and look for any frame damage or loose parts.

Speed and Impairment Control: Higher speeds directly reduce the time you have to react to a turning vehicle and increase crash impact forces.

• Observe speed limits: Never speed; match your speed to road, traffic, and visibility conditions.
• Zero tolerance for substances: Avoid riding after consuming alcohol or any medication/drugs that impair reaction times or judgment.

Support and Resources

• U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center (USACRC): https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/Motorcycles
• Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF): Access training manuals and safety materials at msf-usa.org
• Installation Safety Office: Contact your local garrison safety office to register for upcoming AIRS courses.
• T-CLOCS guide: Download the printable T-CLOCS pre-ride checklist to keep with your riding gear: https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/Motorcycles/Pamphlets-Checklists

A 43-year-old Master Sergeant assigned to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, died in an automobile mishap 4 July 2026 in San Antonio, Texas, at 2000 local. The Soldier was a passenger in a vehicle that veered off the roadway and overturned. The San Antonio police and fire departments responded to the scene and found that the Soldier was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police reported that the civilian driver was allegedly driving at a high rate of speed and showed signs of intoxication. 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 25th automobile fatality of FY26 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

• Impaired Driving / Riding: Plan ahead and establish a battle buddy plan. Never get into a vehicle if you suspect the driver is under the influence. Utilize rideshare services, designated drivers, public transportation or call unit leadership.
• Failure to Wear Occupant Restraints: Enforce 100% seat belt compliance. Modern vehicles are engineered with "safety cages" designed to protect passengers during a rollover, but they only work if you are restrained inside the vehicle. Ensure every occupant clicks their seat belt before the vehicle is put in gear.
• High Speed and Reckless Driving: Speed kills. Drivers must adhere to posted speed limits and adjust speed downward for nighttime driving or wet conditions.
• Passenger Responsibility and Co-Piloting: Speak up. As a passenger, you have a right and a duty to speak up if the driver is speeding, driving recklessly or distracted. If the driver refuses to slow down or drive safely, demand that they pull over in a safe location so you can exit the vehicle.

A 21-year-old Private assigned to Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia, died following an on-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishap 1 July 2026 on the installation at 0830 local. During the final mile of a squad-level organized 8-mile physical training run, the Soldier experienced a suspected heat-related event and collapsed before losing consciousness. Squad members immediately initiated CPR and contacted 911. The Soldier was transported to a local hospital and placed on life support. He died 3 July 2026. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of three Soldiers a year to on-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishaps. This mishap was the second on-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

• Environmental Monitoring: Monitor and record the wet bulb globe temperature hourly. Adjust or suspend PT according to the established heat flag conditions (e.g., yellow, red or black flags dictate specific work-rest ratios and running limitations).
• Progressive Training and Acclimatization: Allow 10 to 14 days of progressive, moderate aerobic exercise in the heat for newly arrived or unacclimatized Soldiers to safely adapt. Progressively increase the intensity and duration of runs rather than scheduling maximum-effort long-distance runs abruptly.
• Formation Spacing: Run in formation at a double-arm interval. The extra physical space between runners significantly helps individual body heat dissipate during group runs.
• Hydration and Dietary Discipline: Enforce structured hydration, ensuring Soldiers do not exceed 1 to 1.5 quarts of water per hour (maximum 12 quarts per day) to prevent hyponatremia. Enforce battle buddy checks to monitor each other's eating, drinking and urination frequency. Avoid stimulants, energy drinks, alcohol or high-sodium dietary supplements prior to strenuous PT.
• Uniform Adjustments: Modify uniforms in high heat categories (Heat Category 3 and above) by unblousing trouser legs, unbuckling web belts or removing ACU/OCP tops down to T-shirts.

Emergency Action Steps (Immediate Response)

If a Soldier shows signs of distress, heat exhaustion or collapses during training, immediate on-site intervention is vital before professional medical assets arrive.

• Pause the Activity Immediately: Any leader or buddy can and must immediately pause the training activity for the entire squad/platoon without waiting for higher chain-of-command authorization.
• Call 911 / Medics: Immediately contact emergency services and dispatch on-site 68W (combat medics) if available.
• Initiate Aggressive Cooling: Move the casualty to a shaded area and lay them flat on their back with legs slightly elevated. Loosen or remove outer clothing (blouse, boots, socks). Begin active cooling (apply ice sheets or cold water to the head, neck, armpits and groin).
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): If the casualty is unresponsive, has no pulse or is not breathing, immediately initiate CPR as the squad members did in this incident.

A 21-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in a motorcycle mishap 27 June 2026 in El Paso, Texas, at 0100 local. The Soldier’s motorcycle struck a wall adjacent to the roadway. The El Paso Police Department and emergency medical services responded to the scene, where the Soldier was pronounced dead. The use of personal protective equipment, training, speed, and the involvement of alcohol or drugs are currently unknown. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 31 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the 17th motorcycle fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Riding at night presents several challenges:

• Reduced Visibility: Road hazards, debris and curves are much harder to spot. Ensure your headlight is clean and properly aligned.
• Outriding the Headlights: At night, reduce your speed so that your total stopping distance is always within the path illuminated by your motorcycle's headlight.
• Fatigue: Avoid riding between 2400 and 0600, when the body's natural circadian rhythm causes peak drowsiness.
• Fixed-Object Crash Avoidance and Cornering: Single-vehicle crashes involving fixed objects account for roughly 35% of motorcycle fatalities.
• Avoid Target Fixation: In a panic or sharp turn, riders tend to stare directly at the hazard. This is called target fixation. You will go where you look. Riders must train themselves to look through the turn, focusing on the safe path of travel rather than the obstacle.
• Speed Management: Speeding is a factor in over 36% of fatal motorcycle crashes. Reduce speed before entering curves, ensuring your entry speed allows for mid-corner adjustments.