Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

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 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.

A 20-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, died in a motorcycle mishap 28 June 2026 in Limestone County, Texas, at 1930 local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle when he was struck by a vehicle at an intersection. The Texas Department of Public Safety 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 16th motorcycle fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Traffic intersections are a critical vulnerability for motorcyclists. When approaching intersections, motorcyclists must ride under the assumption that they are invisible to surrounding motorists. The following safety tips may help prevent a motorcycle mishap at an intersection:

• Anticipate Driver Errors: Slow down prior to entering any intersection, regardless of who has the right-of-way. Watch the front tires of waiting vehicles for movement. Scan three to five seconds ahead to detect vehicles waiting to turn.
• Maximize Your Visibility: Avoid riding in a car or truck's blind spots. Wear high-visibility, reflective outer garments. Flash your brake lights or slightly adjust your lane position when approaching intersections to catch a driver's attention.
• Maintain Space Cushions: Do not split lanes or share lanes with other vehicles. Ensure you have an "escape route" planned in case an oncoming vehicle cuts into your path.
• Wear Required PPE: Always wear a DOT-approved helmet. In addition, wear full-fingered gloves, over-the-ankle leather boots, long pants and a long-sleeved jacket.

A 23-year-old Sergeant assigned to Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy, died in a motorcycle mishap 10 June 2026 in Gila Bend, Arizona, at 0600 local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle while on leave when he was struck by a passenger car. The Arizona Department of Public Safety responded to the scene and transported him to a local hospital, where he died. The Soldier was reportedly wearing all required personal protective equipment. 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 15th motorcycle fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.  

Safety Tips

Riders must actively manage their space and visibility in traffic.

• Defensive Riding over PPE – Do not rely solely on PPE. While required gear protects your body during an impact, it does not prevent the collision itself. Active hazard avoidance is your primary shield.
• Visibility Enhancement – Maximize your visual presence. Use high-visibility/reflective gear and keep headlights on, especially during transition hours like dawn and dusk, when lighting is poor.
• The Invisibility Mindset – Assume drivers cannot see you. Position yourself in lanes to maximize your line of sight and avoid lingering in blind spots.
• Intersection Proactivity – Scan intersections aggressively. Most multi-vehicle motorcycle mishaps occur when a passenger vehicle turns into or violates a rider's right-of-way.
• Space & Fatigue Management – Always maintain an escape route and safe following distance. Be highly alert to the fact that early morning drivers may be fatigued or distracted.

A 24-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died in a motorcycle mishap 6 June 2026 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 0100 local. The Soldier was riding westbound in a residential area when he collided head-on with another vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Colorado Springs Police Department is investigating the mishap and believe speed was a contributing factor. Personal protective equipment use, training, and the involvement of alcohol and 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 14th motorcycle fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 37% of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2024 were speeding. Higher speeds equate to farther total stopping distance. Per the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, total stopping distance has three parts:

• Perception distance – How far traveled before you are aware of a hazard.
• Reaction distance – How far traveled for the time you are aware of the hazard until you apply the brakes.
• Braking distance – How far traveled after applying the brakes.