Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 29-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-Pedestrian mishap 30 June 2023 in Halifax, North Carolina, at 2145 local. While on leave, the Soldier reportedly parked on the side of the road, exited his vehicle and was struck by oncoming traffic. The North Carolina Highway Patrol (NCHP) responded and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. The specific circumstances of the mishap are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for NCHP to release its final report.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of six Soldiers a year to PMV-Pedestrian mishaps. This mishap was the fourth PMV-Pedestrian fatality of FY23.

Safety tip
Roadside emergency safety tips
If you’re on the side of the road, you’ll need to exercise caution. Follow these tips to move to safety and stay out of the danger of traffic, remaining as safe as possible.

Take action immediately: If you notice car trouble, start moving over the right way. If you wait too long, your car may stop moving before you’re able to get off the road.

Get as far off the road as possible: If you’re experiencing an emergency while driving, the most important thing you can do is get to a safe place. A shoulder will do if that’s all you can manage, but it’s best to exit freeways, turn off roadways, and pull into a rest stop or parking lot. Try to stop under a streetlight if possible. Never stop around corners or curves, on the bottom of a hill, or on a narrow road. Don’t stop on a left shoulder unless you have no other choice, as you will be unable to get out of your car and walk off the highway. Even if you’re destroying your tire, keep going until you can get to safety. You may even save yourself tow truck fees if you’re able to get to a parking lot where you can handle repairs.

Warn others you’re having trouble: Turn on your hazard lights, and if you have safety cones, signs, flares, triangles, or a light, use those as well to increase your visibility. If you’re stopped at night, be sure to leave on your lights . You can also pop your hood to show others you’re having car trouble.

Call for roadside assistance: If you have roadside assistance through your insurance, cellphone carrier, or roadside club, give them a call immediately. They are typically available 24/7 with fast service that will take you to the nearest vehicle repair location. Remember to put their phone number in your cellphone so you’ll always have it handy.

Don’t exit your car until it’s safe: If you’re having an emergency, you may feel panicked and want to investigate the situation immediately. But be careful about getting out of your car, especially if you’re still near traffic. Get out of your car through the passenger side if there’s traffic on the driver side. And, of course, look for traffic before you open your door.

Remember you’re in traffic: If you’re on the shoulder, keep in mind you and your car are not protected by the thin white line that separates you from the other cars speeding past on the freeway. All it takes is a distraction or wind to have a vehicle drift over into the shoulder, hitting your car. You should also take care to keep your distance from the flow of traffic. If you can’t perform your own roadside repairs safely, it is best to remain in the vehicle with your seat belt on and doors locked. Don’t stand behind or next to your vehicle.

Be prepared with emergency supplies: Keep a first aid kit, extra water and food and emergency repair supplies, including tools, a spare tire, duct tape, jack, jumper cables, heavy-duty rope, gloves and Fix-a-Flat. You should also have flags, flares, or reflective triangles to warn other drivers that you’re having trouble.

Be careful about accepting help: It’s best to call professionals or a trusted friend or family member who can help. Yet, strangers who see you’re having trouble may stop to help. They may be well-intentioned, but you should use caution. Lower your window only enough to talk and use your best judgment in accepting their help. If you’re waiting on roadside assistance or a tow truck, thank them for stopping but tell them you’ll be taken care of.

Know when to call a professional: Some vehicle owners can handle quick roadside repairs without help, but even the savviest of DIYers can get in over their heads and end up in dangerous territory. Know when it’s smart to call for help. While you might be able to handle a tire change in a parking lot, it’s not a good idea to try to do the same while you’re on a highway shoulder. Use your best judgment.

Roadside assistance safety apps
Need help? You can get connected with service providers and repair advice quickly using these roadside assistance apps. Find a tow truck, learn how to change a tire, and get help fast so you can get safely off the road.

HONK: HONK is a free on-demand roadside assistance app. It has more than 45,000 tow truck partners nationwide, and flats can be fixed in as quickly as 30 minutes. All you have to do is open the app and share your location information and the kind of help you need. You’ll hear back from a service provider with an estimated time for their arrival. This service is available 24/7.

RepairPal: With RepairPal, you can get help with auto emergencies and roadside assistance. The app offers an easy way to find mechanics in your area and get one-touch access to roadside assistance.

Urgently: Urgently is an on-demand roadside assistance service. It has Uber-like visibility and a flat rate pay-per-use pricing. It uses thousands of trusted service providers nationwide to get drivers back on the road quickly with immediate help and no annual fees. You’ll see nearby help, pick a service, and watch help arrive in real-time.

Good Hands Rescue: This Allstate insurance service is available to everyone, whether you have coverage with Allstate or not. Using this app, you’ll get in touch with the Allstate network of roadside assistance providers and get help when you need it. It uses your phone’s GPS to pinpoint your location and mobilize a service provider who can help. You’ll also get real-time updates, including a service confirmation and ETA information, so you know when help is on the way.

AutoZone: Think you’re up to the task of fixing your car yourself? AutoZone’s app has a repair help feature that offers trustworthy advice for fixing your car yourself and getting back on the road.

Tips provided by defensivedriving.org.

 

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A 29-year-old Active Guard/Reserve Staff Sergeant assigned to Fort Cavazos, Texas, died in a PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 11 June 2023 at 0321 local. The Soldier was struck by another vehicle after he stopped and dismounted his motorcycle to retrieve an item that was in the road. The driver of the vehicle that struck the Soldier did not stop afterward. The Soldier was pronounced dead at the scene. The safety point of contact is awaiting more information from local law enforcement.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of six Soldiers a year to PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This mishap was the sixth PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatality of FY23.


Safety tip
At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries and fatalities remain high. In 2021, 7,388 pedestrians were killed – a 13% increase from 2020 – and more than 60,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide.

Of the 7,388 pedestrian fatalities, 1,802 (24%) were involved in hit-and-run crashes and more pedestrian fatalities occurred in the dark (77%) than in daylight (20%), dusk (2%) and dawn (2%) in 2021.

Know the Basics — Pedestrian Safety
Safety tips for drivers
1. Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times.
2. Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.
3. Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
4. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.
5. Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see.
6. Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
7. Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present.
8. Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians.

Walking safety tips
1. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
2. Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
3. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
4. Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
5. If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
6. Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots.
7. Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
8. Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation — get up, get out and get moving.

Tips provided by NHTSA
 

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A 45-year-old Active Guard/Reserve Sergeant First Class assigned to the Army National Guard, Camp Dodge, Iowa, died from injuries sustained in a PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 22 May 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa, at 1615 local. The Soldier was running eastbound when he was struck by a vehicle. The driver stopped and called emergency services. The Soldier sustained several critical injuries and was transported to the local hospital in critical condition. He had multiple surgeries to control internal bleeding and pressure on his brain. He was removed from life support and died 4 June 2023.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of six Soldiers a year to PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This mishap was the fifth PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatality of FY23.

Safety tip
At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries and fatalities remain high. In 2020, 6,516 pedestrians were killed and an estimated 55,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) raises awareness of the dangers to pedestrians and provides tips to keep them safe.

Know the Basics — Pedestrian Safety

Safety tips for drivers

1. Look out for pedestrians everywhere, always.
2. Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.
3. Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
4. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.
5. Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see.
6. Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
7. Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present.
8. Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians.

Walking safety tips

1. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
2. Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
3. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
4. Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
5. If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
6. Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots.
7. Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
8. Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation — get up, get out and get moving.

Tips provided by NHTSA

In the spotlight – The 2023 Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation provides additional information to include videos, statistics and risk mitigation measures in preventing pedestrian mishaps. Visit https://safety.army.mil/ODSAP for more information.
 

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A 24-year-old Sergeant assigned to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, died in an on-duty PMV-Pedestrian mishap 19 April 2023 on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, at 2100 local. While attending the XVIII Airborne Corps Brigade Separate Joint Field Training Exercise (FTX), the Soldier was responding to a vehicle breakdown along with additional personnel from the FTX. The Soldier was working with leadership onsite to position his wrecker for recovery. He was walking back along the driver side of the wrecker when he was struck by a civilian vehicle. Medical personnel within the recovery team attempted lifesaving measures while leadership notified Fort Bragg emergency services. The Soldier was unresponsive to medical care and pronounced dead at the scene.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of six Soldiers a year to PMV-Pedestrian mishaps. This mishap was the fourth PMV-Pedestrian fatality of FY23 and below the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.
 

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A 23-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, died in a PMV-Pedestrian mishap 10 April 2023 in Copperas Cove, Texas, at 0445 local. The Soldier was walking home northbound when he was struck by a southbound vehicle.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of six Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-Pedestrian mishaps. This mishap was the third PMV-Pedestrian fatality of FY23.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians

Walk on a sidewalk or path. If neither is available, walk facing traffic and as far from cars as possible.

Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections whenever possible; this is where drivers expect pedestrians. If neither is an option, locate a well-lit area, wait for a gap in traffic that allows you enough time to cross safely, and continue to watch for traffic as you cross.

Be alert. Walkers wearing headphones or using a cellphone might not hear a car horn or could miss a traffic signal at a crosswalk.

Never assume drivers see you; they could be distracted or impaired. It’s best to make eye contact with drivers to make sure you are seen. Make yourself visible by wearing brightly colored clothing during the day. At night, wear reflective materials or use a flashlight.

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