Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 41-year-old First Sergeant assigned to U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion, Phoenix, Arizona, died in an automobile mishap 19 May 2025 near Tucson, Arizona, at 0130 local. The Soldier's vehicle was rear-ended by an SUV on the interstate, pushing it into the path of a box truck. Arizona Department of Public Safety officers responded to the scene and transported the Soldier to a local hospital, where he died. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 22nd automobile fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.   

Safety Tips

1. Maintain a Safe Following Distance: While the three-second rule is more for maintaining distance while driving, it also translates to a safe following distance when stopping. Increase this distance in adverse weather or when driving behind large vehicles. When stopping behind another vehicle, you should stop far enough back to see the rear tires of the vehicle in front of you touching the ground. This provides a safety buffer in case you need to maneuver around the vehicle or if you are rear-ended and pushed forward.
2. Be Mindful of Tailgaters: If you notice someone is tailgating you, try to create more space by gradually slowing down and encouraging them to pass. Do not brake hard to try and scare them off, as this could lead to a collision.
3. Stay Alert and Avoid Distractions: Minimize distractions like texting, eating or using your phone. Pay attention to your surroundings, including the vehicles ahead and behind.
4. Scan Your Surroundings: Look far ahead of your vehicle to anticipate potential hazards, such as stopped or slow-moving traffic, pedestrians or merging vehicles. This allows you to react early and avoid sudden stops that could lead to a rear-end collision.
5. Use Turn Signals Early and Clearly: Signal your intentions well in advance when changing lanes or turning. This gives other drivers ample time to react and adjust their driving accordingly.
6. Brake Gradually: Avoid sudden stops whenever possible. Slowing down gradually allows the driver behind you more time to react and avoid a collision.
7. Check Your Mirrors Frequently: Regularly check your rearview and side mirrors to monitor traffic behind you. This helps you stay aware of vehicles that might be too close or approaching too fast.
8. Be Cautious in Adverse Conditions: Increase your following distance and reduce your speed in rain, snow or fog.
9. Ensure Your Brake Lights are Working: Always make sure your brake lights are functioning correctly to alert other drivers when you are slowing down or stopping.
10. Scan for an Escape Path: If you anticipate a potential rear-end collision, look for a safe place to move to the side of the road or shoulder to avoid being pushed into other traffic.

Tips provided by NHTSA.  

A 19-year-old Private Second Class assigned to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, died in an automobile mishap 15 February 2025 in Williamson County, Texas, at 2330 local. The Soldier was negotiating a right-hand curve when his vehicle's rear tires lost traction. He overcorrected, causing the right-front fender to strike a guardrail. The vehicle rotated 180 degrees and continued into a grassy median, where it struck a center cable barrier. An off-duty police officer witnessed the mishap and called 911. Emergency services arrived and found the Soldier dead.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 21st automobile fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.  

Safety Tips

To ensure the safety of drivers and the public, drivers should follow these essential tips when navigating curves:

• Slow Down: Reduce your speed before entering a curve. This simple step allows for better control and increased reaction time.
• Maintain a Safe Following Distance: Leave ample space between your vehicle and the one ahead. This provides a cushion for unexpected events and ensures you have room to maneuver.
• Stay in Your Lane: Always stay within your designated lane while navigating curves. Crossing into other lanes increases the risk of collisions with oncoming traffic.
• Steer Smoothly: Gradually steer through the curve, avoiding sudden or jerky movements. Smooth steering helps maintain traction and control.
• Avoid Sudden Braking: Abrupt braking can lead to skidding or loss of control. If you need to brake, do so gently and preferably before entering the curve.
• Look Ahead: Focus your gaze on the road ahead and anticipate the curve’s path. This allows you to make adjustments in advance and spot potential hazards.
• Adjust for Conditions: Reduce speed even further in adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow or fog. Adjust your driving to match the road’s condition.
• Practice Defensive Driving: Embrace defensive driving techniques, such as maintaining a 360-degree awareness of your surroundings, anticipating other drivers’ actions and always being prepared to react to unexpected situations.

A 29-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in an automobile mishap 1 June 2025 in El Paso, Texas, at 0200 local. During the mishap sequence, the Soldier’s vehicle overturned and caught fire. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 20th automobile fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this time last year.

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