Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 39-year-old Staff Seargent assigned to the Army National Guard, Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Title 10 orders died in other ground mishap 28 August 2023 in Marshall, Michigan, at 0238 local. The Soldier and his nephew reportedly died in a house fire. His brother positively identified him at the scene. The Michigan Army National Guard was notified of the Soldier’s death. The Marshall Police Department (MPD) and fire investigators do not suspect foul play and believe the fire was accidental at this time. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for MPD to release its final report.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of three Soldiers a year to off-duty ground other ground mishaps. This was the third off-duty ground other ground mishap of FY23 and above the number of ground other ground fatalities from this time last year.

Safety tip

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home, you may have as little as two minutes to escape? During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives. Learn what else to do to keep your loved ones safe!

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test smoke alarms every month. If they are not working, change the batteries. Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice twice a year. If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.
 

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A 25-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Shafter, Hawaii, died in a PMV-2 mishap 7 September 2023 in Honolulu, Hawaii, at 1642 local. The Soldier was riding at a high rate of speed when he broadsided a vehicle turning left, careened into the westbound lanes and struck a vehicle head-on. Emergency medical services and the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) responded to the scene. The Soldier was transported to a local hospital, where he died shortly after arrival. The Soldier was properly licensed and completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse 4 March 2023. Alcohol was not a factor, and the use of personal protective equipment is unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for HPD to release its final report.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 24 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 33rd PMV-2 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

Safety tip

Motorcycle Fatality Statistics

There Were 5,579 Motorcyclists Killed in 2020
Unfortunately, 2020 was a bad year for motorcycle riders. A total of 5,579 were killed in fatal traffic accidents. This was the highest number of motorcycle accident deaths since the Fatality Analysis Reporting System was first started in 1975.

Motorcycle Accidents Accounted for 14% of All Traffic Deaths
Motorcycle riders account for 14% of all traffic facilities, despite the fact only 3% of all registered vehicles are motorcycles. Motorcycle crashes also account for 18% of all occupant fatalities and 4% of all injuries to vehicle occupants.

2,143 of Motorcycle Accident Deaths Occurred When Not Wearing a Helmet
Failure to wear a helmet is one of the biggest risk factors for motorcycle riders. In fact, 2,143 motorcycle accident fatalities occurred when riders were not helmeted. Helmets can help to protect against head injuries, which have a high fatality rate.

34% of Motorcycle Fatalities Involve Speeding
Driving too fast is another risk factor. More than one-third of fatal motorcycle accidents (34%) involve a motorist traveling at excess speed. Driving too fast increases the risk of a collision due to increased stopping distance and decreased control. It also increases the risk that a crash which does occur will be fatal because crash energy and forces increase as speed increases.

27% of Motorcycle Accident Deaths Involved Alcohol
Drunk driving is a well-known risk factor for all types of accidents, including motorcycle collisions. More than a quarter of deadly motorcycle accidents (27%) were alcohol-involved crashes. This includes single-vehicle accidents, which account for 41% of alcohol-impaired motorcycle crashes and which resulted in 880 motorcyclist deaths in 2020. By contrast, just 18% of alcohol-impaired motorcyclist crashes were multi-vehicle accidents, although these accounted for 556 deaths of motorcycle riders during the same year.

Alcohol-Impaired Motorcycle Crashes Increase at Night
Drunk driving increases during the evening hours, making this an especially dangerous time for motorcycle accidents. Forty percent of alcohol-impaired motorcycle crash deaths occur during the evening hours. And motorcycle accidents are three times as likely to involve an impaired driver during the nighttime compared with during the day.

On the Weekend, the Most Common Time of Day When Motorcycle Fatalities Occur is 6-9 p.m.
For motorcyclists, weekend evenings are a dangerous time on the road. A total of 24% of fatal motorcycle accidents happen between 6 and 9 p.m., with 676 deaths occurring during just this time period alone.

During the Week, the Most Common Time of Day When Motorcycle Fatalities Occur is 3-6 p.m.
Crashes happen earlier on weekdays, perhaps because more motorcycle riders are on the roads earlier during commuting hours during the workweek. A total of 26% of motorcycle fatalities occurred between 3 and 6 p.m. During this period, a total of 1,263 deaths occurred.

Tips provided by Forbes Adviser Christy Bieber, NHTSA AAMVA, IIHS, NSC
 

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A 20-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, died in a PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 7 September 2023 in Manhattan, Kansas, at 0600 local. Soldier 1 stopped on the side of the road to assist Soldier 2, who had struck a deer with her vehicle. Both Soldiers had exited their vehicles to inspect the damage when they were struck by a civilian vehicle. The Kansas Highway Patrol responded to the scene and both Soldiers were transported to the local hospital. Upon arrival, Soldier 1 was pronounced dead by hospital staff. Due to the injuries Soldier 2 sustained, she was transferred to a higher-level medical care facility in Topeka, Kansas, for further treatment and evaluation. She is currently in stable condition.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of six Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This was the seventh off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatality of FY23 and above the number of off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatalities from this time last year.
 

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A 22-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, died in a PMV-4 mishap 6 September 2023 in Cookeville, Tennessee, at 0031 local. While on post-deployment leave, the Soldier reportedly was involved in a fatal vehicle accident. The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) responded and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including the Soldier’s use of a seat belt, speed or alcohol as a contributing factor, are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for THP to release its final report.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 32nd PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.
 

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A 34-year-old Specialist assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, died in an off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap 2 September 2023 in Anchorage, Alaska, at 1400 local. The Soldier was hiking with several other Soldiers from his unit when he accidentally fell off a cliff. He was airlifted to Providence Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of 11 Soldiers a year to off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the eighth off-duty sports, recreation and physical training fatality of FY23 and above the number of off-duty sports, recreation and physical training fatalities from this time last year.

Safety tip

Cliff Safety

• Take your time and watch your step – Be careful and watch where you are walking, especially on slippery areas or near cliffs. Stick to dry paths and solid rock areas with good footing.


• Don’t get too distracted – Pay attention when taking photos, videos or just looking at the scenery. Watch your step. There will often be uneven ground, holes, bumps on rocks and stumps near the cliff’s edge. Tripping can cause a fall as easily as slipping.


• Only use the designated paths – Take notice of any warning signs and fences in place, be responsible and don’t take any unnecessary risks.


• Make sure that you are properly equipped for walking along paths – Remember to wear sturdy shoes or boots and check the weather forecast. Carry a fully charged mobile phone and tell someone where you are going and what time you will be home.


• Do not attempt to climb up or down cliffs – Unless you are properly equipped and trained to do so, do not attempt to climb cliffs as a shortcut back to the top.


• Keep your dog on a lead near cliffs – If your dog picks up the scent of an animal or hears something on the ledge below, it doesn’t take much for them to follow their nose. Above all, if your dog does fall down a cliff, do not attempt to rescue it yourself. Nine times out of ten your dog will rescue itself and return to you alive, but, tragically, some owners do not.


• Stay away from the bottom of cliffs – When standing at the bottom of a cliff, we always advise people that they should not stand less than the height of the cliff away. That means that if the cliff is 25 meters high, don’t go closer than 25 meters toward it.


• Source: Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

 

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