Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 22-year-old Sergeant assigned to 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in an automobile mishap 4 January 2026 in Spring Lake, North Carolina, at 0317 local. The Soldier was driving his private motor vehicle when it left the roadway, struck a tree and caught fire. The Fayetteville Police Department and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene, where the Soldier was pronounced dead. Personal protective equipment use, speed, and the involvement of alcohol or drugs are currently unknown. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the sixth automobile fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.  

Safety Tips

Roadway departures are a leading cause of traffic fatalities in the United States. According to a 2023 NHTSA report, 47 percent of all traffic fatalities involved a roadway departure where a vehicle crossed an edge line, a centerline or left the traveled way entirely. These incidents are especially dangerous, as they often result in a collision with a fixed object, such as a tree. To avoid this type of tragic mishap, drivers must remain vigilant and in control of their vehicle at all times. Here are some essential safety tips to prevent single-vehicle roadway departure crashes:

• Eliminate all distractions: Driving requires your full attention. Put away your cellphone, avoid adjusting the radio or navigation system while moving, and limit conversations with passengers. Distracted driving significantly increases your risk of unintentionally leaving your lane.
• Never drive fatigued: Drowsiness impairs your reaction time and awareness as much as driving drunk. The National Safety Council warns that going more than 20 hours without sleep is equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent. If you feel tired, pull over in a safe location to rest.
• Manage your speed and drive to conditions: Obey posted speed limits and reduce your speed for adverse conditions such as rain, sharp curves or darkness. Excessive speed is a primary factor in roadway departure crashes, as it reduces the time you have to react to hazards.
• Maintain lane discipline and avoid overcorrection: Keep your vehicle centered in its lane. If you drift onto the shoulder, do not panic and jerk the wheel. Instead, ease off the accelerator and gently steer back onto the pavement once it is safe to do so.
• Always wear your seat belt: While seat belts do not prevent a crash, they are your single most important defense in surviving one.

A 27-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Irwin, California, died in a motorcycle mishap 20 December 2025 in Fontana, California, at 1620 local. The Soldier was merging onto the highway when he collided with a semi-truck. He was transported to Arrowhead Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Personal protective equipment use, training, speed, and the involvement of alcohol or drugs are currently unknown. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 31 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the sixth motorcycle fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

A 22-year-old Specialist assigned to 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, died in an automobile mishap 20 December 2025 in Calhoun, Louisiana, at 0120 local. The Soldier was decelerating and attempting to pull his vehicle onto the shoulder of the road when he was struck from behind by another vehicle. First responders pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the fifth automobile fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year. 

Safety Tips

Improper lane changes and other roadway departures are a significant safety concern. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that nearly half of all fatal crashes in the United States involved a roadway departure. Furthermore, lane changing and merging maneuvers account for 4 percent of all fatal crashes. To ensure you can decelerate and pull over safely on a high-speed interstate and avoid becoming part of these statistics, here are some essential tips to follow:

• Signal early: Activate your turn signal at least five to eight seconds before you plan to move over. This gives other drivers ample warning.
• Check mirrors and blind spots: Always check your mirrors and look over your shoulder before changing lanes to ensure no vehicle is in your blind spot.
• Decelerate gradually: Avoid slamming on your brakes. Ease off the accelerator and apply brakes gently to slow down smoothly, preventing a potential rear-end collision.
• Maneuver smoothly to the shoulder: Once you have a clear path, steer carefully onto the shoulder.
• Activate hazard lights: As soon as you are safely stopped, turn on your emergency flashers to maximize your vehicle's visibility.
• Exit safely: If you need to get out of your car, only exit on the passenger side, away from the flow of traffic.

A 20-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in a motorcycle mishap 19 December 2025 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, at 1255 local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle when he struck the rear of a truck that was stopped at an intersection. He was ejected from the motorcycle and struck by a second vehicle. The Fayetteville Police Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the scene, where EMS personnel pronounced the Soldier dead. Personal protective equipment use, rider training, speed, and the potential involvement of alcohol or drugs are all currently unknown. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 31 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the fifth motorcycle fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year. 

Safety Tips

Motorcycle safety at intersections is critical, as these are high-risk areas for collisions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclist fatalities from frontal impacts with other vehicles accounted for 56 percent of motorcycle deaths in 2021. To help prevent a similar tragedy, it's crucial to practice defensive riding techniques, especially when approaching intersections. Here are some essential safety tips to help motorcyclists avoid collisions with stopped or slowing vehicles at intersections:

• Increase following distance: Maintain a minimum of a four-second following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. This provides more time and space to react to sudden stops.
• Cover your brakes: As you approach an intersection, rest your fingers on the brake lever and your foot over the rear brake pedal. This reduces your reaction time if you need to stop quickly.
• Scan for hazards: Actively scan the intersection ahead, looking for brake lights, traffic signals and potential cross traffic. Anticipate that vehicles may stop suddenly.
• Position for visibility: Ride in the portion of the lane that makes you most visible to the driver in front of you and to other vehicles at the intersection. Avoid lingering in a vehicle's blind spot.
• Practice emergency braking: Regularly practice controlled, hard braking in a safe environment, like an empty parking lot. Knowing how to use both front and rear brakes effectively without locking them is a critical skill.
• Be ready to maneuver: Always have an escape path in mind. Identify an area to move into, such as the shoulder or an adjacent lane, if the vehicle ahead stops abruptly and you cannot stop in time.

A 20-year-old Private Second Class assigned to 101st Division Artillery, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in an automobile mishap 18 December 2025 on the installation at 0930 local. Two Soldiers were in a private motor vehicle that collided with a vehicle occupied by three other Soldiers. One Soldier was pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the mishap. Additional information is currently unavailable. 

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the fourth automobile fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year. 

Safety Tip

For information on private motor vehicle safety, check out the Private Motor Vehicles (PMVs) In the Spotlight Series or the complete Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation at https://safety.army.mil/ODSAP.