Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 30-year-old Captain assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in an off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 10 January 2024 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, at 1900 local. The Soldier was operating an electric-assist bicycle when he was struck from behind by a vehicle. Local law enforcement responded and transported the Soldier to the local medical center. Shortly after arrival, the Soldier was pronounced dead. The Soldier was wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including speed or alcohol, are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for law enforcement to release its final report.

Since 2019, the Army has lost an average of five Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This was the second off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap of FY24.
 

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A 28-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Cavazos, Texas, died in a PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 8 October 2023 in Austin, Texas, at 0315 local. The Soldier was struck by a civilian vehicle while crossing the street at a crosswalk and sustained fatal injuries. The Austin Police Department (APD) responded to the scene. It is currently unknown where the Soldier was coming from or headed or who notified 911. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for APD to release its final report.

Since 2019, the Army has lost an average of five Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This was the first off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatality of FY24 and above the number of off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatalities from this time last year.
 

Safety tips

At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries and fatalities remain high. In 2021, 7,388 pedestrians were killed – a 13 percent increase from 2020 – and more than 60,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide. NHTSA raises awareness of the dangers to pedestrians and provides tips to keep pedestrians safe. 

8 Walking Safety Tips 

• Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals. 
• Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available. 
• If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible. 
• Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right. 
• If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross. 
• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots. 
• Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment. 
• Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation – get up, get out and get moving. 

8 Safety Tips for Drivers 

• Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times. 
• Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather. 
• Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk. 
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too. 
• Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see. 
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. 
• Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present. 
• Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians. 

Tips provided by NHTSA 

 

 

A 20-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, died in a PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 7 September 2023 in Manhattan, Kansas, at 0600 local. Soldier 1 stopped on the side of the road to assist Soldier 2, who had struck a deer with her vehicle. Both Soldiers had exited their vehicles to inspect the damage when they were struck by a civilian vehicle. The Kansas Highway Patrol responded to the scene and both Soldiers were transported to the local hospital. Upon arrival, Soldier 1 was pronounced dead by hospital staff. Due to the injuries Soldier 2 sustained, she was transferred to a higher-level medical care facility in Topeka, Kansas, for further treatment and evaluation. She is currently in stable condition.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of six Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This was the seventh off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatality of FY23 and above the number of off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatalities from this time last year.
 

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A 34-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to the Army National Guard, McEntire Joint National Guard Base, Eastover, South Carolina, died in an off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 4 September 2023 in Lancaster, South Carolina, at 1455 local. The Soldier experienced a problem while towing a boat and pulled his vehicle onto the shoulder of the highway. The unit reported that the Soldier and his wife were outside of the vehicle and in proximity to the boat when a civilian vehicle struck it. The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) responded and pronounced the Soldier’s spouse dead at the scene. The Soldier was transported to the local medical center, where he died shortly after arrival. The driver of the civilian vehicle was also transported to the local hospital; however, his status is unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for SCHP to release its final report.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of six Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This was the sixth off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap of FY23 and above the number of off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatalities from this time last year.

Safety tip
If you are involved in a roadside emergency do not let your focus or frustration distract you from the serious dangers posed by other drivers on the road. Follow these tips to remain as safe as possible:

Emergency Equipment – Ensure the emergency equipment you carry in your vehicle includes warning triangles and a reflective vest along with a first aid kit, extra water and food, and emergency repair supplies including tools, a spare tire, duct tape, jack, jumper cables, heavy-duty rope, gloves and fix a flat.

Get off the road – When you first discover an issue with your vehicle find a safe spot to pull over as far off the road as possible. The most important thing is to get out of the path of traffic.

Make yourself visible – Turn on your hazard lights and headlights, and once you have pulled over, place reflective emergency triangles to alert oncoming traffic while wearing reflective gear.

Exit the vehicle carefully – Exit the vehicle from the side furthest from the road and stay as far away from traffic as possible. Do not exit the vehicle if not safe to do so – remain inside with your seat belt on and call 911 for assistance.

Traffic Warning Triangles – Place a minimum of one warning triangle but preferably three to improve visibility:
- Place the first triangle 10 feet behind your vehicle on the side closest to the road.
- Place a second warning triangle 100 feet directly behind your vehicle.
- Place a third triangle 300 feet behind your vehicle on the side furthest from the road.

Limit your exposure – Know when to call a professional. If the required repair is beyond your capabilities or will expose you to heavy traffic return to your vehicle, buckle up and call for assistance.

For more information on pedestrian safety, check out the Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation: https://safety.army.mil/ODSAP.
 

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A 36-year-old Captain assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died in an off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 31 July 2023 in Fountain, Colorado, at 0428 local. The Soldier went on a ruck march in the Fountain area 30 July. At approximately 2230, he had not returned home, so his wife contacted the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD). The following morning, CSPD found the Soldier dead on the side of the road from a suspected hit and run.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of six Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This was the fifth off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap of FY23 and above the number of off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatalities from this time last year.

Safety tips
When walking or running:

Avoid roads – Walk or run on trails, tracks or sidewalks whenever possible.

Face traffic – Walking or running on roads/streets facing traffic allows you to spot oncoming vehicles and time to move out of the road if necessary.

Be visible - Wear bright, reflective clothing/gear (especially in hours of darkness) to make yourself visible to drivers. Headlamps or handheld lights will make you more visible and allow you to see where you are going better.

Don’t wear headsets – Wearing headphones or earbuds impacts your ability to hear and react to approaching vehicles.

Use crosswalks – Look for vehicles in all directions and never assume that drivers see you even if you have the right-of-way.

For more information on pedestrian safety, check out the Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation: https://safety.army.mil/ODSAP.
 

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