Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 30-year-old Sergeant First Class assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-4 mishap 2 February 2024 in Hoke County, North Carolina, at 2248 local. The Soldier was reportedly operating his vehicle when he crossed the median and struck a tree. The vehicle caught fire and the Soldier sustained fatal injuries. Speed was involved, the use of seat belt and alcohol are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for law enforcement to release its final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 16th fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

A 49-year-old Sergeant First Class assigned to Fort Novosel, Alabama, died in a PMV-4 mishap in Walton County, Florida, on 11 February 2024 at 1800 local. The Soldier was traveling northbound with her son as a passenger when an oncoming vehicle entered their lane and struck them head-on. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) responded and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. The Soldier’s son was transported to the local hospital and discharged with no serious injuries. The civilian driver was hospitalized in critical condition. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including use of seat belt, speed or alcohol, are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for WCSO and FHP to release their final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 15th fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Head-on motor vehicle collisions are deadly. In 2019, they were responsible for nearly 30% of the 16,700 U.S. roadway deaths that resulted from crashes with other vehicles, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).

You can help prevent a potential head-on collision before it occurs. NSC has developed a lifesaving method for drivers to use: the four R’s.

Read the road ahead. Scan ahead to the top of the next hill, curve or intersection to recognize hazards. This will help you see and react faster if an oncoming vehicle crosses the centerline. Also, check the shoulder of the road to see if you’ve got room to pull over. Watch the space between the left front tire of any approaching vehicle and the centerline. If the spacing is becoming smaller, that vehicle may be about to stray into your lane.

Drive to the Right. Drive slightly to the right of center of your lane to create an extra space between you and other vehicles. On multi-lane roadways, leave one lane to the left open. When facing a head-on collision, drive right, onto the shoulder. Never swerve into the left lane. If the other driver instinctively pulls their vehicle back into the proper lane, you’ll have a collision in that lane.

Reduce your speed. If you see a hazard ahead, immediately reduce your speed. This gives you extra time and gives the oncoming driver time to recover and move back into the correct lane. Don’t slam on the brakes or swerve. And never stop your vehicle. If you stop completely, you may be struck from behind – and potentially pushed forward into the oncoming vehicle.

Ride off the road. If you have to choose between a head-on collision and riding onto the shoulder, your chances of survival are much better on the shoulder. If you must hit something, steer your vehicle to hit the object with a glancing blow rather than head-on. Every inch off center reduces the impact of the collision – and increases your chance for survival.

Tips provided by the National Safety Council.

A 21-year-old Private assigned to Fort Moore, Georgia, died in a PMV-4 mishap 2 January 2024 in Fayetteville, Georgia, at 2300 local. The Soldier was reportedly traveling on a two-lane road when he left the roadway and drove into a lake. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) responded to the scene. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including, speed or seat belt use, are currently unknown. Alcohol was present, but it is unknown if it was a contributing factor. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for FCSO to release its final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 14th fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that's one person every 39 minutes. In 2021, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from 2020. These deaths were all preventable.

Driving after drinking is deadly. Yet it still continues to happen across the United States. If you drive while impaired, you could get arrested or, worse, be involved in a traffic crash that causes serious injury or death.

Impaired Driving

Driving a vehicle while impaired is a dangerous crime. Tough enforcement of drunk-driving laws has been a major factor in reducing drunk-driving deaths since the 1980s. Charges range from misdemeanors to felony offenses, and penalties for impaired driving can include driver’s license revocation, fines, ignition interlock devices at owner’s expense and jail time. It’s also extremely expensive. A first-time offense can cost the driver upwards of $10,000 in fines and legal fees.

Tips provided by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A 25-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-4 mishap 10 February 2024 in Harnett County, North Carolina, at 0430 local. The Soldier was traveling more than 100 mph when he crossed the centerline in a right-hand curve and struck a tree on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Local law enforcement and emergency medical services responded and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. The Soldier was wearing a seat belt. It is currently unknown if alcohol was a contributing factor. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for law enforcement to release its final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 13th fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Preventing Car Accidents on Dangerous Curves

Posted Warning Signs to Prevent Accidents
Most drivers are cautious and alert while driving; however, a driver may underestimate the risk posed by a curve in the road. To prevent a potential accident, signs are posted near dangerous curves.

• Curve and Corner Signs – A yellow-colored sign to warn drivers of a dangerous curve on the road ahead. These signs depict an illustration of the curve itself along with the most suitable speed for the vehicle to safely negotiate the curve.
• Chevron Arrows – Chevron arrows comprise a series of signs set up along the actual location of the curve. These signs start before the curve itself and show the direction of the curve.

Curve Awareness to Prevent Accidents

1. Be aware of the danger posed by a curve in the road. Whenever vehicles pass through a curve, the tires of the vehicle move forward due to acceleration and inertia. These opposing movements may cause the vehicle to skid, posing a danger to both the vehicle and the driver.
2. Reducing the speed of the vehicle when negotiating a curve along the road may prevent an accident. The road signs should serve as a warning to slow down before reaching the curve.
3. Avoid over-turning the wheel. When passing through the curve, move the vehicle along the edge of the lane opposite to the direction of the curve. For example, a vehicle should stay along the right of the lane in a left-curving road. This reduces the sharpness of the curve and reduces the chances of skidding.
4. Remain alert while passing through these curves. Be aware of drivers coming from the opposite direction.
5. Increase your speed only after you have passed the curve safely.

Tips provided by The Law Firm of Zappettini and Bradley.

A 26-year-old Sergeant assigned to the Army National Guard, Camp Mabry, Texas, in an inactive-duty status died in a PMV-4 mishap 25 January 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas, at 0230 local. When the Soldier did not report to first formation, the chain of command contacted the Soldier’s sister, who was able to receive a location from his phone. The detective assigned to the case confirmed the Soldier was involved in a fatal vehicle mishap. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including the mishap sequence, use of seat belt and speed or alcohol as contributing factors, are unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for law enforcement to release its final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 12th fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.