Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 48-year-old Active Guard Reserve Sergeant First Class assigned to the Army National Guard, Franklin, Indiana, died in a PMV-4 mishap 31 October 2023 in Scottsburg, Indiana, at 1650 local. The Soldier was reportedly traveling south when he lost control of his vehicle, crossed into the northbound lanes and struck a tree. Indiana State Police (ISP) responded after receiving a notification of impact from the Soldier’s personal electronics. The Soldier was transported to the local memorial hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival by the attending physician. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including use of seat belt, speed or alcohol, is currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for ISP 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 sixth fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Nationwide, 52 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths in since 2021 occurred in single-vehicle crashes.

Road crashes are the leading cause of death in the country, resulting in more than 38,000 people losing their lives each year.

Safey Tips in the event your vehicle loses control:

1. Reduce your speed. Slow down if you see something unusual or hazardous ahead of you. Reducing your speed lowers the energy of the car and increases your control.
2. Don't panic. Avoid panic and stay calm.
3. Keep your hands on the wheel. Do not let go of the wheel and try regaining control of the vehicle by having your hands on the steering wheel.
4. Don't slam on the brakes. Gradually press your brake pedal down continuously to prevent losing control even further.
5. Keep your eyes open. Do not close their eyes; keep your focus on the road to help see a possible opportunity to regain control of your vehicle and to see where you are going.
6. Steer into the skid. Whether hydroplaning on water or skidding on ice or gravel, it's usually a good idea to steer into the skid. That is, steer in the direction that the back of your vehicle is trying to go. In most cases, this is the best way to regain control of your vehicle.

A 26-year-old First Lieutenant assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve, Bedford, Virginia, on inactive duty training orders, died in an on-duty Government Motor Vehicle (GMV) mishap on 2 November 2023 in Bowling Green, Viriginia, at 1400 local. The Soldier’s unit was conducting a tactical vehicle convoy to their battle assembly when the HMMWV left the roadway and overturned. One Soldier was fatally injured, and four other Soldiers sustained non-fatal injuries. A Safety Investigation Board led by members of the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is investigating the mishap.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of eight Soldiers a year to GMV mishaps. This mishap was the third on-duty GMV fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safey tip

The Army has accounted for 22 rollover mishaps resulting in the loss of 20 Soldiers since FY19. Most on-duty rollovers are preventable, and actions can be taken to prevent or reduce severity when they occur.

Safety Tips to prevent vehicle rollovers:

Wear seat belt and restraint devices!

Slow down. Watch for sharp curves and steep slopes and keep a firm grip on the steering wheel. Curves and slopes generate centrifugal force that enacts sideways motion on the vehicle, increasing the chances of rollover. Come to a complete stop and downshift at the crest of steep grades to control speed. Faster speeds also result in decreased driver response times.

Avoid panic. Do not jerk the steering wheel. Many rollovers occur when the driver panics/jerks the steering wheel during an emergency. Jerking the steering wheel, conducting sudden vehicle maneuvers, overcorrecting or excessive steering can cause loss of control, and the vehicle may slide sideways and rollover.

Employ proper maneuvering. If your vehicle runs off the roadway, gradually reduce your speed. Ease off the accelerator pedal so the vehicle slows down. Slowly ease the vehicle back onto the roadway when it is safe, and your speed is under control.

Make sure vehicles have been safety inspected and maintained. Pay attention to the tire condition and air pressure during PMCS to reduce potential hazards. Worn and improperly inflated tires increase your risk of rollover.

Use combat locks/safety latches safely. Combat locks/safety latches help keep the doors closed in a crash. If traveling near water, ensure to release latches to allow easier evacuation in the event the vehicle becomes submerged underwater.

Do not lock up the brakes. Use a pumping action in emergencies instead of locking the brakes. Use adequate braking at various speeds to make emergency stops safely. Breaking hard will accelerate the skid, contributing to loss of control and rollover.

Use caution on rural roads. When a vehicle leaves a rural road, it can overturn when it strikes a ditch, embankment or is tripped by soft soil.

A 35-year-old Active Guard Reserve Staff Sergeant assigned to the Army National Guard, Camp Shelby, Mississippi, died in a PMV-2 mishap 14 October 2023 in Saucier, Mississippi, at 1258 local. The Soldier was reportedly passing a vehicle and returning into the lane of travel when he ran off the road and struck an embankment. The motorcycle flipped and the Soldier was ejected. The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) responded to the scene. The Soldier was wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment, had a valid motorcycle license and completed the required Motorcycle Safety Foundation training. Speed was reported as a contributing factor; however, it is unknown if alcohol was involved. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for MHP to release its final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 28 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the sixth PMV-2 fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Speeding is more prevalent in fatal crashes involving motorcycle operators than among other types of motor vehicle operators.

Thirty-one percent of all motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes in 2018 were speeding, compared to 18% of passenger car drivers (NCSA, 2020).

Motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes had worse prior driving records than other passenger vehicle drivers, including more driving while impaired (DWI) convictions, speeding convictions, and suspensions or revocations.

Additionally, 28% of the motorcycle operators involved in crashes in 2018 did not have valid motorcycle operator licenses.

In 2018, 26% of the motorcycle operators killed in crashes had BACs of .08 g/dL or higher.

Nationally, 38% of fatally injured motorcyclists in known cases of helmet use were not helmeted.

Tips provided by NHTSA

A 36-year-old Active Guard Reserve Sergeant First Class assigned to the Army National Guard, Teaneck, New Jersey, died in a PMV-4 mishap 1 November 2023 in Chatsworth, New Jersey, at 1726 local. The Soldier was traveling home and was involved in an accident. He was transported to the local medical center, where he was pronounced dead. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including use of seat belt, speed or alcohol, is 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 fifth PMV-4 fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

A 56-year-old Sergeant First Class assigned to the Army National Guard, Union Springs, Alabama, died in a PMV-4 mishap that occurred 14 October 2023 in Montgomery, Alabama, at 0700 local. The Soldier was enroute to weekend drill when he was involved in a single-vehicle accident. The Montgomery Police Department (MPD) responded and transported him to the local medical center. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was placed in a medically induced coma and died 17 days later. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including details about the mishap sequence, use of a seat belt or alcohol use is currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for MPD 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 fourth fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.