Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 21-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-2 mishap 27 July 2023 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, at 2045 local. The Soldier reportedly collided with another civilian vehicle that attempted to turn into his path and sustained fatal injuries. The specific circumstances of the mishap are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for law enforcement 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 26th PMV-2 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

Safety tips

When riding a motorcycle:
 

• Always expect a vehicle to turn in front of you at an intersection and make sure that you give yourself enough time and space to react to other motorists’ actions.


• Place yourself in traffic to be seen. The best lane position is the one that gives you the most visibility for yourself and other motorists.


• Any time you are approaching an intersection of any kind, make sure you look both ways to ensure no cars are coming, even if they have a red light.


• Always check your mirrors and look to your sides and far ahead to anticipate changes in traffic patterns.


• Always use your lights when you ride.


• Never allow your mind to be on autopilot or zone out while riding.


• Aways be aware of your surroundings.

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A 39-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, died in a PMV-2 mishap 22 July 2023 in Duval County, Florida, at 1750 local. The Soldier was reportedly involved in a motorcycle mishap and sustained injuries. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) responded to the scene, and the Soldier was transported to the local university medical center. He was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including speed, the Soldier’s use of personal protective equipment and the involvement of alcohol, are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for FHP 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 24th PMV-2 fatality of FY23 and equal to the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

A 26-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died in a PMV-2 mishap 22 July 2023 in Manitou Springs, Colorado, at 1455 local. The Soldier struck a guardrail and was ejected from his motorcycle. Colorado State Police (CSP) responded and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. The Soldier completed the Basic RiderCourse 25 March 2022 and was scheduled to attend the Advanced RiderCourse 17 August 2023. Reportedly, alcohol was not suspected as a contributing factor. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including speed and the Soldier’s use of personal protective equipment, are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for CSP 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 23rd PMV-2 fatality of FY23 and below the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

A 23-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, died in a PMV-4 mishap 21 July 2023 in Stockbridge, Georgia, at 1900 local. While traveling on I-75 near Atlanta, the Soldier and her family were involved in a vehicle accident that resulted in her death. The circumstances of the mishap are currently unknown, to include if other vehicles were involved or whether the occupants were wearing seat belts. It is also unknown if speed, drugs or alcohol were contributing factors. The division safety will provide updates as more information is provided.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 28th PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time 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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