Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 20-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, died in an automobile mishap 25 May 2025 in Junction City, Kansas, at 0230 local. The Soldier was driving alone at a high rate of speed when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. The mishap is under investigation and further details are currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 19th automobile fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this time last year. 

Safety Tips

Driving while drowsy is similar to driving under the influence of alcohol. Drivers’ reaction times, hazard awareness and ability to sustain attention all worsen the drowsier the driver. Driving after going more than 20 hours without sleep is the equivalent of driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% — the U.S. legal limit.

A driver might not even know when he or she is fatigued because signs of fatigue are hard to identify. Some people may also experience micro-sleep — short, involuntary periods of inattention. In the four or five seconds a driver experiences micro-sleep at highway speed, the vehicle will travel the length of a football field.

Speeding endangers everyone on the road. In 2023, speeding killed 11,775 people. We all know the frustrations of modern life and juggling a busy schedule, but speed limits are put in place to protect all road users. For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. In 2023, speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities.

Speed also affects your safety even when you are driving at the speed limit but too fast for road conditions, such as during bad weather, when a road is under repair or at night in an area that isn’t well lit. Speeding endangers not only the life of the speeder, but also all of the people on the road around them, including law enforcement officers.

Source: Tips from NSC and NHTSA

A 34-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in a Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishap 24 May 2025 in Raeford, North Carolina, at 1300 local. The Soldier was discovered submerged underwater at his community pool and then retrieved by other patrons arriving at the scene. He was immediately transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishaps. This mishap was the fourth off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training fatality of FY25 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year. This was also the second off-duty water-related fatality of FY25.

Safety Tips

• Learn to swim. Basic swimming skills are essential for water safety. Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning.
• Be aware of your limits. Don't push yourself beyond your capabilities, especially if you are a weaker swimmer. If you are a weak swimmer, wear a life jacket.
• Obey pool rules and signs. Public pools may have different rules regarding conduct and play, including allowed toys and attire. Pool rules are designed to protect swimmers, so follow them.
• Avoid alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming or other water activities. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination.
• Use the buddy system. Always swim with a buddy. Choose swimming sites that have lifeguards when possible. The buddy system is especially beneficial for people with medical conditions that increase their risk of drowning.
• Take additional precautions for medical conditions. Know if your medical condition might increase your risk for drowning and take extra care. Take extra precautions around water if you or a family member have other conditions that can increase the risk of drowning.
• Consider the effects of medications. Avoid swimming if you take medications that impair your balance, coordination or judgment. These side effects increase the risk of drowning.
• Don't hyperventilate or hold your breath for a long time. Do not hyperventilate before swimming underwater or try to hold your breath underwater for long periods of time. This can cause you to pass out and drown. This is sometimes called "hypoxic blackout" or "shallow-water blackout.”

The Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation includes a section dedicated to water-related activities that contains statistics, contributing factors, prevention tips and other relevant information. You can download the full presentation or the Water-Related Activities breakout from the In the Spotlight Series at https://safety.army.mil/ODSAP.

A 24-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in a motorcycle mishap 19 May 2025 in El Paso, Texas, at 0130 local. The Soldier recently purchased the motorcycle without notifying his command or registering it with the unit. Additionally, he had not completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse. The Soldier was wearing a helmet; however, information regarding the use of other personal protective equipment, speed and potential factors such as alcohol or drug use is currently unavailable. 

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 30 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the 17th motorcycle fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

• Never exceed the speed limit or ride beyond your capabilities.
• Always maintain an appropriate speed relative to the road conditions.
• Wear protective gear, such as helmets and proper clothing.
• Obey traffic lights, signs, speed limits and lane markings.
• Ride with the flow of traffic and leave plenty of room between your bike and other vehicles.
• Stay focused on the road.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Watch out for pedestrians.
• Anticipate the actions of other drivers.
• Use your turn signals to alert other drivers of your movements.
• Check your blind spots before changing lanes or making turns.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 35% of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2022 in the U.S. were speeding, compared to 22% for passenger car drivers, 15% for light-truck drivers and 6% for large-truck drivers. To date in FY25, 56% of all fatal motorcycle mishaps in the Army involved speeding.

A 28-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died in a motorcycle mishap 16 May 2025 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 2200 local. The Soldier was riding his motorcycle when he collided with another vehicle at an intersection. He recently purchased the bike without informing his command, did not have a motorcycle endorsement on his driver's license and had not completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse. 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 16th motorcycle fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

A valid Colorado motorcycle license or endorsement is required to legally operate a motorcycle on public roads in Colorado. Operating a motorcycle without a valid license is illegal and can result in penalties.

Per Army Regulation 385-10:

Prior to operating any two- or three-wheeled vehicle that requires the operator to be licensed with a motorcycle endorsement in the state or host nation, Soldiers will successfully complete the Basic RiderCourse. Training may be accomplished on a contractor-provided motorcycle or the individual’s own motorcycle. If approved by the commander, the Soldier may ride a motorcycle to the training site or location.

There is a significant link between motorcycle fatalities and lack of training, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A substantial percentage of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes are unlicensed or lack formal training. Specifically, NHTSA reports that 34% of motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes in 2023 were riding without valid motorcycle licenses. Additionally, 92% of motorcycle accidents involve drivers who did not complete formal motorcycle safety training.

A 61-year-old lieutenant colonel assigned to Sgt. Charles R. Long United States Army Reserve Center, Independence, Missouri, died in a Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishap 12 May 2025 in Maries County, Missouri, at 1945 local. The Soldier was driving his privately owned utility task vehicle (UTV) on a gravel road when he lost control and struck a tree. Additional information is currently available.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishaps. This mishap was the third off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training fatality of FY25 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

• Adhere to speed limits and adjust speed based on the terrain and conditions.
• Always wear a seat belt when operating a UTV.
• Make wide turns and avoid sharp maneuvers, especially on uneven ground.
• When reversing, use a spotter if necessary and always look behind you.
• Drive straight up or down hills to prevent rollover accidents.
• Slow down to turn.
• Use four-wheel drive, if available, and slow speeds on slippery surfaces to prevent skidding.
• Maintain payloads within weight limits and secure them for travel.
• Always wear a helmet and other protective gear.
• Familiarize yourself with the terrain and its challenges before riding.
• Consider wearing a protective suit if riding alone.