Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 29-year-old Soldier assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, died in an off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap 31 August 2024 in Milford, Kansas, at 1757 local. The Soldier was swimming at Milford Lake when he was reported missing. The Geary County Sheriff’s Office responded and found the Soldier unresponsive. The Geary County coroner pronounced him dead at the scene. The specific circumstances of the mishap are currently unknown.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the third fatal off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap of FY24 and below the number of fatalities this same time last year.

Safety tip

In the U.S., an average of 3,500 to 4,000 people drown per year. That is an average of 10 fatal drownings per day. Swimming in open water (lakes, rivers, ponds and the ocean) is harder than in a pool. People tire faster and get into trouble more quickly. A person can go under water in a murky lake, making them hard to find, or be swept away in currents.

• Swim in a lifeguarded area, especially if you are not a strong swimmer.
• Be cautious of sudden dropoffs in lakes and rivers. People who can't swim or aren't strong swimmers have slipped into deeper water and drowned.
• Stay sober when on or in the water. Alcohol and other drugs increase the effects of weather, temperature and wave action.
• Life jackets are recommended for children swimming in lakes and rivers.
• Always keep a close eye on small children and keep them within arm’s reach.
• Know your limitations — including physical fitness and medical conditions.
• Never swim alone. Always swim with a buddy or swim with lifeguards and/or water watchers present.
• Understand the dangers of hyperventilation and hypoxic blackout.
• Take caution of the unique risks of the water environment you are in, such as:
  • River currents
  • Underwater currents
  • Water temperature
  • Shallow or unclear water
  • Underwater hazards, such as vegetation and animals
• It is always best to call for assistance if possible before attempting a water rescue, especially if you are not a strong swimmer.

The Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation includes a section dedicated to water-related activities which 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/OFF-DUTY/Home-and-Family/Off-Duty-Safety-Awareness-Presentation-2024.

A 20-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in a PMV-2 mishap 2 September 2024 in Clarksville, Tennessee, at 2100 local. The Soldier was riding his motorcycle when he ran off the road and stuck a sign pole. He was reportedly riding at a high rate of speed. The use of personal protective equipment and completion of Motorcycle Safety Foundation training are currently unknown.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 28 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 33rd PMV-2 fatality of FY24 and equal to the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety tip

If you ride a motorcycle, you already know how much fun riding can be. You understand the exhilaration of cruising the open road and the challenge of controlling a motorcycle. But motorcycling also can be dangerous. Per vehicle miles traveled in 2022, motorcyclists were about 22 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and were four times more likely to be injured. Safe motorcycling takes balance, coordination and good judgment.

Riding a motorcycle is among the riskier modes of transportation. Not only does operating a motorcycle require more physical skill and strength than driving a passenger vehicle, but motorcycles lack a protective structure, offering the rider virtually no protection in a crash. Furthermore, the motorcycle’s smaller size relative to most motor vehicles may make it less visible to drivers and more vulnerable in a collision with larger, heavier passenger vehicles and trucks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) considers a traffic crash to be speeding-related if the driver was charged with a speeding-related offense or if an investigating police officer indicated that racing, driving too fast for conditions or exceeding the posted speed limit was a contributing factor in the crash. Thirty-five percent of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2022 were speeding, compared to 22 percent for passenger car drivers, 15 percent for light-truck drivers and 6 percent for large-truck drivers.

Ride Responsibly

Experienced riders know local traffic laws — and they don't take risks. 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; and always check behind you and signal before you change lanes. Remember to ride defensively. The majority of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes generally are caused when other drivers simply didn't see the motorcyclist. Proceed cautiously at intersections and yield to pedestrians and other vehicles as appropriate. You can increase your visibility by applying reflective materials to your motorcycle and by keeping your motorcycle's headlights on at all times, even using high beams during the day.

Tips provide by NHTSA.

A 23-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-2 mishap 19 August 2024 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, at 2030 local. The Soldier was on leave and riding his motorcycle when he collided with another vehicle. Emergency medical services transported him to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where he died from his injuries. He completed Motorcycle Safety Foundation training 5 March 2024 and was wearing the proper personal protective equipment. Speed and alcohol involvement are currently unknown.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 28 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 32nd PMV-2 fatality of FY24 and equal to the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

A 21-year-old Specialist assigned to the Army National Guard, Grand Forks, North Dakota, in a Title 10 status died in a PMV-2 mishap on 17 August 2024 in Bismarck, North Dakota, at 1945 local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle when a passenger van he was overtaking turned into his path, resulting in a collision. Local police and emergency services responded and pronounced him dead at the scene. The use of personal protective equipment, completion of Motorcycle Safety Foundation training, speed and the involvement of alcohol are currently unknown.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 28 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 31st PMV-2 fatality of FY24 and below the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Riding a motorcycle is dangerous. Luckily, bikes also give you the best possible tools to avoid crashing — incredibly powerful brakes, obstruction-free vision, excellent handling and very grippy tires. Here’s how to use those tools, and your very own brain, to avoid one of these common motorcycle accidents.

Motorcycle Safety:

Want to reduce your odds of dying in a crash? Get educated. New riders should complete a basic rider course from the MSF or similar while advanced tuition is available at racetracks. It can be cheaper than your fear.

Safety gear doesn’t just help prevent injury in a crash, it can also make riding more comfortable, put you in better control of your bike and help you be seen by other drivers. Bright colors on your helmet and jacket/suit will help car drivers see you, potentially avoiding some of the common accidents detailed below.

A Car Turns Left in Front of You

This is the most common motorcycle accident. A car fails to see you or judges your speed incorrectly, turning in front of you at an intersection. Blame inattention, distraction, blind spots and even psychology; a driver looking for cars perceives merely an absence of cars, not the presence of a motorcycle.

How To Avoid It: Simple, you just need to see it coming. Part of your job as a motorcyclist is to develop a precognitive sixth sense. Look for signs that could indicate someone may turn in front of you: a car is at an intersection waiting to turn, there’s a gap in traffic near an intersection, driveway or parking lot. In either situation, slow down, cover your brakes and get ready to take evasive action. Yes, you do need to take something as innocuous as a car waiting in a turn lane as a major and immediate threat to your life. You also need to account for objects outside of your vision. Gaps in traffic indicate the possibility of someone coming through that gap, even if you can’t see them. Again, MAJOR THREAT, PREPARE FOR EVASIVE ACTION.

And once you’ve identified said threat, you can work it through levels of severity. Is the driver clearly able to see you, without obstruction from their window pillars, trees or signs? Is that person actually looking? Are they looking at you? How are they situated in the road? What is their speed? Where are their wheels pointing?

Look at their wheels, not the car – they’ll give you the first clue of movement. During all this, also be aware of what’s behind and to your side. Should you need to take evasive action, you’ll need to know your routes of escape. It’s no good braking in time to avoid a turning car, only to be swatted from behind by a tailgating SUV. What’s the road surface like? Is it going to be able to handle the full force of your brakes or are you going to lock them? You do know how to use the full ability of your brakes, right?

Under no circumstances should you “lay the bike down.” Your best chance of survival comes from shedding as much speed as possible pre-collision, and you’re going to be able to do that best with the bike completely upright, using both brakes. Even if you only have time to lose 10 or 20 mph, that could be the difference between going home with bruises and going home at all.

A Car Changes Lane into You

You’re riding in traffic when a car in another lane suddenly veers into the space you’re occupying. Remember, our tiny motorcycles can easily fit into blind spots and drivers looking for cars aren’t psychologically programmed to see motorcycles.

How To Avoid It: Be aware of where blind spots lie and spend as little time in them as possible. If you can see a driver's eyes in their mirrors, then they have the ability to see you, too (But remember that still doesn't always mean they're looking – Ed.).

Beware of situations where lane changes become more possible. Is highway traffic slowing, with one lane moving faster than others? People are going to want to be in that lane. Don’t be where they want to be.

Look for signs of a car changing lanes: turn signals, wheels turning, the car wandering around its own lane while the driver checks his/her mirrors and, of course, the driver’s head moving. Be aware of all that, in all the cars around you, at all times, and you’ll be good.

The Most Common Bike Accident

According to the 1981 Hurt Report—the largest study ever conducted on motorcycle accident causation—alcohol is a factor in 50 percent of all bike wrecks.

How To Avoid It: Don’t drink and ride.

Tips provided by RideApart.com Staff