Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 24-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in a Government Motor Vehicle mishap 5 June 2025 while deployed at Camp Croft, Hungary, around 1300 local. During a vehicle movement, the third vehicle did not arrive at the destination. Following a search, the vehicle was found overturned, and all five Soldiers on board were injured. Three Soldiers were treated at the camp aid station, and two Soldiers were transported to a local hospital, where one of the Soldiers was pronounced dead. The U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is leading an investigation into the mishap.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of five Soldiers a year to Government Motor Vehicle mishaps. This mishap was the eighth Government Motor Vehicle fatality of FY25 and more than the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety Tips

Driver Training: Ensure all drivers are properly trained in convoy procedures and emergency response protocols. Leaders must emphasize driver training and ensure drivers and vehicle commanders are trained and licensed and all crewmembers are familiar with conducting the egress/rollover procedure IAW TM 9-2320-462-10.

Vehicle Inspection: Conduct a thorough vehicle inspection before departure, including checking tires, brakes and lights and ensuring all loads are properly secured. Also conduct PCCs, PCIs and drills.

Route Planning: Establish a planned route, including potential hazards and alternate routes. Conduct reconnaissance to identify potential threats and hazards along the route.

Convoy Briefing: Convoy briefs must be conducted to ensure all members of the convoy understand the mission objectives, route details and potential hazards. Ensure your convoy brief addresses control measures to mitigate hazards identified in your risk assessment, such as vehicle restraint use, speed limits, terrain, road conditions and safe following distances. The Joint Risk Assessment Tool (JRAT) provides numerous potential subtasks, hazards and control measures associated with vehicle operations.

Safely Stow Equipment: Ensure equipment is stowed outside the ISV Rollover Protection System (ROPS) and on the sides of the vehicle. This will assist in the event of a rollover, where the gear stowed externally to the vehicle will be forced inside the silhouette formed by the ROPS. Gear that is stowed internally or on top could impact the Soldiers. If gear and equipment enter the survival space during a rollover, it may compress/crush the head, neck and/or spine of vehicle occupants.

Communication: The convoy commander and vehicle commanders must maintain communication throughout the convoy. Regular check-ins with the lead and rear vehicles are conducted and communication systems are used to report any issues or hazards. Inform personnel of upcoming checkpoints, turns, danger areas and possible threats. Establish clear communication protocols, including radio channels, signal systems (e.g., using lights or horns) and emergency procedures.

PPE: All vehicle occupants must wear personal protective equipment (head, hand, eye, ear and foot protection).

Buckle Up: All occupants must utilize the complete seat belt system and ensure the seat belt is properly fastened and adjusted. A seat belt may keep you in your seat and help you maintain control of the vehicle.

Maintain Safe Spacing: Keep a safe distance between vehicles, allowing for safe braking and maneuvering. Consider increasing spacing on dusty or slippery roads.

Speed: Reduce speeds during turns and other maneuvers. Speeds must be reduced according to weather and road/terrain conditions. Always approach slopes head-on and avoid side slopes whenever possible. Failure to adhere to safety precautions may cause the vehicle to overturn.

Be Alert and Aware: Always pay close attention to the surrounding environment and be aware of potential hazards, such as other vehicles, pedestrians or road debris.

Avoid Fatigue: Take regular breaks and ensure all drivers are rested and alert to avoid fatigue-related accidents.

Handling Obstacles: During operations where the terrain's severity increases, speed must be reduced to ensure the operator can account for obstacles in a timely manner. If an obstacle is encountered, clear it safely if possible. If not, avoid the obstacle or have a ground guide dismount and check for a safe distance. Always follow in the front vehicle’s tracks.

Avoid Splitting Up: Avoid splitting up during convoy operations under any circumstances. The vehicle commander must help maintain the correct route and rate of march IAW convoy commander guidance. The vehicle commander must also alert the convoy commander and other vehicle commanders if there is a probability of a split-up.

JRAT is designed to assist users with creating an automated deliberate risk management worksheet (DD Form 2977) and the application of risk management. Check it out at https://jrat.safety.army.mil.

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A 22-year-old Specialist and 23-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, died in a government motor vehicle (GMV) mishap 2 October 2023 on the installation at 1100 local. During a unit movement from the battalion area to the Yukon Training Area (YTA) to conduct a Platoon Live Fire Exercise, the driver lost control of the MTV on an improved tank trail in YTA and rolled over. As a result, two Soldiers sustained fatal injuries and 10 other Soldiers sustained non-fatal injuries. A Safety Investigation Board led by members of the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is leading the investigation into the mishap.

Since 2019, the Army has lost an average of eight Soldiers a year to GMV mishaps. This mishap was the first and second GMV fatalities of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same period last year.

 

 

A 28-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-4 mishap 18 June 2023 in Valley, Alabama, at 0235 local. The Soldier was reportedly traveling on County Road 379 when his vehicle left the roadway, striking a culvert, a stop sign and several trees. He was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. The Soldier was pronounced dead at the scene. It is currently unknown if speed, alcohol or drugs were contributing factors.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 27th PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Seat belts
Buckling up helps keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle, whereas not buckling up can result in being ejected from the vehicle in a crash, which is almost always deadly. Air bags are not a replacement for seat belts. They are designed to work in conjunction with seat belts. If you are not buckled up, the force of an air bag can cause serious injury or death.

Visibility at night
Night driving is dangerous because, even with high-beam headlights on, visibility is limited to about 500 feet (250 feet for normal headlights), creating less time to react to something in the road, especially when driving at higher speeds.

• Slow down to compensate for limited visibility and reduced stopping time.
• Ensure your headlights are clean and aimed correctly.
• Dim your dashboard.
• Look away from oncoming lights.
• If you wear glasses, make sure they're anti-reflective.
• Clean your windshield to eliminate streaks.

Drowsy driving

In addition to the obvious risk of falling asleep and running off the road or into another vehicle or object, drowsy driving affects your ability to drive safely even if you don’t fall asleep. Drowsiness makes you less able to pay attention to the road, slows reaction times if you must suddenly brake or steer, and affects your ability to make good driving decisions.

• Don’t drive if you have been awake for 16 hours or more.
• Stop every two hours to rest.
• Pull over and take a nap if necessary. It’s better to arrive late than not at all.

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A 24-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in an on-duty government motor vehicle (GMV) mishap 21 July 2023 on the installation at 0935 local. A five-vehicle logistics convoy, consisting of a Load Handling System (LHS) followed by four Light Medium Tactical Vehicles (LMTVs), was traveling southbound on Route GREEN toward the Fort Bliss cantonment area. The convoy commander, riding in the LHS, noticed a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle parked on the northbound shoulder. As the lead vehicle in the convoy stopped to render assistance, vehicle 3 (LMTV) impacted the rear of vehicle 2 (LMTV). The impact pinned a Soldier in the passenger compartment of vehicle 3. Soldiers at the scene immediately called emergency medical services (EMS). Upon EMS arrival, the Soldier was pronounced dead. A Centralized Accident Investigation team from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is currently leading the investigation into the mishap.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to on-duty GMV mishaps. This mishap was the third on-duty GMV fatality of FY23 and below number of fatalities for the same period last year.  

• Conduct convoy briefs in accordance with appropriate regulations and standard operating procedures.


• Enforce the use of vehicle restraints/seat belts for all vehicle occupants.


• Establish tactical communications within convoys.


• Maintain established convoy speed and distance between vehicles.


• Establish procedures for vehicle stops and breakdowns.


• Use warning lights during periods of darkness or low visibility.


• Establish and enforce speed limits for limited visibility conditions (dust, fog, darkness, smoke, etc.).  

 

The Joint Risk Assessment Tool is designed to assist users with creating an automated deliberate risk management worksheet (DD Form 2977) and the application of risk management https://jrat.safety.army.mil.

 

 

A 23-year-old Specialist assigned to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, died in a government motor vehicle (GMV) mishap 25 May 2023 at Camp Udairi, Kuwait at 1026 local. During a movement in support of range operations, a High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle overturned. One Soldier suffered fatal injuries and another Soldier sustained permanent total disability injuries. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including Soldiers' use of seat belts, mishap sequence and if speed was a contributing factor, are currently unknown.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to GMV mishaps. This mishap was the second GMV fatality of FY23 and below the number of fatalities for the same time last year.
 

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