Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 47-year-old Active/Guard Reserve Master Sergeant assigned to the United States Army Reserve, San Antonio, Texas, died in a PMV-4 mishap 17 June 2023 in San Antonio, at 0031 local. The Soldier reportedly was driving when a civilian vehicle traveling in the wrong direction crashed into her vehicle. The San Antonio Fire Department, San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) and emergency medical services responded to the scene. The Soldier was extricated from the vehicle, transported to the local hospital and pronounced dead upon arrival by the attending physician. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including speed and the Soldier’s use of a seat belt, are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for the SAPD to release its final report.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 22nd PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip
Ways to avoid wrong-way drivers
A wrong-way driver barreling toward your vehicle is perhaps one of the most frightening events to experience on the road.

Approximately 350 people a year lose their lives because of a wrong-way driving collision, according to U.S. Department of Transportation data. While wrong-way crashes are relatively uncommon, comprising about 3% of all motor vehicle accidents, they are the leading type of motor vehicle accident to result in a fatality.

In fact, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) estimates the fatality rate to fall between 12 and 27% higher than all other types of collisions.

Anticipate what's ahead
It's very important to look at the road ahead and anticipate any possible dangers. Look beyond the first few cars ahead and scan the entire width of the roadway — not just ahead in your own lane.
By doing so, you increase your odds of spotting a wrong-way driver sooner, giving you more time to move out of the way in a scenario where every second counts.

Caution at night and on weekends
NTSB research finds that 70% of wrong-way crashes occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. The data also shows there are more wrong-way collisions on weekends as opposed to weekdays.
At nights and on weekends, the uptick in wrong-way accidents may be due to alcohol-impaired drivers who comprise many wrong-way drivers.

Drive in the right lane
Wrong-way drivers tend to drive in the left lane. In fact, seven out of nine wrong-way crashes occur in the lane closest to the median, notes the NTSB.

Avoid distractions
As always, it's imperative to stay alert to the roadway by avoiding distractions such as eating, fiddling with the radio or manipulating a cellphone. In the event a wrong-way driver suddenly appears, having your full attention on the road could save your life.

Pull over to the right
If you see a wrong-way driver coming toward you, do your best to pull over to the shoulder. Don't apply the brakes. It's better to swerve out of the way, and you will likely only have a few split seconds to react.

Call 9-1-1
If you manage to avoid a wrong-way driver, make sure to report it immediately while you are stopped on the side of the road. You could help save someone's life.

Tips provided by Automotive Fleet Marrianne Matthews and NTSB
 

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An Active Guard Reserve Sergeant First Class assigned to the Army National Guard, Fort Carson, Colorado, died in an off-duty water-related mishap 16 June 2023 in Buena Vista, Colorado, at 1430 local. The Soldier was floating on an innertube on the Arkansas River when he was swept away by fast-moving waters. The conditions or circumstances surrounding the mishap sequence are unknown. The Soldier was found unresponsive approximately two miles downstream. Emergency medical services personnel performed lifesaving measures but were unsuccessful in resuscitating the Soldier. Local law enforcement and Army CID are investigating the mishap.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to off-duty water-related mishaps. This was the second off-duty water-related mishap of FY23 and less than the number of off-duty water-related fatalities from this time last year.
 

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A Staff Sergeant assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, on temporary duty assignment attending the United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy, died in a combat skills/military unique mishap 12 June 2023 in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, at 2320 local. The Soldier was conducting a land navigation course when he did not report back to the starting point within the three-hour time limit. The chief instructor contacted the Fort Jackson Directorate of Emergency Services (DES), which informed cadre to wait an hour before officially considering the Soldier’s duty status as unknown. DES arrived and began its search for the Soldier. He was later found dead in the training area.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of four Soldiers a year to combat skills/military unique mishaps. This tragedy was the second combat skills/military unique fatality of FY23.

Safety tip
Land navigation course safety tips:

• Use a Soldier Monitoring system or a persistent Soldier monitoring device [e.g., Home Station Instrumentation Training System (HITS) or Deployable System for Training and Readiness (DSTAR)].


• Consider allowing Soldiers to carry their personal cellphone for emergencies.


• Consider allowing Soldiers to navigate the course in buddy teams.


• Ensure Soldiers are trained in the use of a panic azimuth and easily recognized boundary points.


• Use roving guides to conduct perimeter checks and observe and monitor Soldiers movements on course.


• Monitor wet bulb globe temperature and adjust activity levels and uniform as appropriate.


• Ensure Soldiers are trained on hot weather injury/heat illness symptoms and treatment.


• Establish multiple water points distributed throughout the course.


• If all Soldiers have not returned by the established end time, execute search-and-rescue procedures immediately in accordance with local standard operating procedures.

The Joint Risk Assessment Tool (JRAT) is an interactive, easy-to-use, automated system designed to assist users with the application of risk management and the production of an automated risk assessment worksheet. For more information, visit https://jrat.safety.army.mil.
 

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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 30-year-old Sergeant First Class assigned to South Camp Vilseck, Germany, died in a PMV-4 mishap 5 June 2023 at 2040 local. The Soldier was driving his normal route from work to home when he was involved in a head-on collision. Emergency medical services was called to the scene and provided first aid. The Soldier was resuscitated and airlifted to a local hospital, where he died. The Soldier was wearing his seat belt when first responders removed him from the vehicle. The safety point of contact is awaiting more information to confirm mishap specifics and toxicology.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 21st PMV-4 fatality of FY23 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. The 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 must 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 NSC Safety and Health Magazine
 

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