Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 34-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to the Army National Guard, McEntire Joint National Guard Base, Eastover, South Carolina, died in an off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 4 September 2023 in Lancaster, South Carolina, at 1455 local. The Soldier experienced a problem while towing a boat and pulled his vehicle onto the shoulder of the highway. The unit reported that the Soldier and his wife were outside of the vehicle and in proximity to the boat when a civilian vehicle struck it. The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) responded and pronounced the Soldier’s spouse dead at the scene. The Soldier was transported to the local medical center, where he died shortly after arrival. The driver of the civilian vehicle was also transported to the local hospital; however, his status is unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for SCHP to release its final report.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of six Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This was the sixth off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap of FY23 and above the number of off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatalities from this time last year.

Safety tip
If you are involved in a roadside emergency do not let your focus or frustration distract you from the serious dangers posed by other drivers on the road. Follow these tips to remain as safe as possible:

Emergency Equipment – Ensure the emergency equipment you carry in your vehicle includes warning triangles and a reflective vest along with 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.

Get off the road – When you first discover an issue with your vehicle find a safe spot to pull over as far off the road as possible. The most important thing is to get out of the path of traffic.

Make yourself visible – Turn on your hazard lights and headlights, and once you have pulled over, place reflective emergency triangles to alert oncoming traffic while wearing reflective gear.

Exit the vehicle carefully – Exit the vehicle from the side furthest from the road and stay as far away from traffic as possible. Do not exit the vehicle if not safe to do so – remain inside with your seat belt on and call 911 for assistance.

Traffic Warning Triangles – Place a minimum of one warning triangle but preferably three to improve visibility:
- Place the first triangle 10 feet behind your vehicle on the side closest to the road.
- Place a second warning triangle 100 feet directly behind your vehicle.
- Place a third triangle 300 feet behind your vehicle on the side furthest from the road.

Limit your exposure – Know when to call a professional. If the required repair is beyond your capabilities or will expose you to heavy traffic return to your vehicle, buckle up and call for assistance.

For more information on pedestrian safety, check out the Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation: https://safety.army.mil/ODSAP.
 

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A 25-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, died in an on-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap 2 September 2023 at 1145 local. The Soldier was conducting cardiovascular PT and collapsed of heat exhaustion with a core temperature of 107 degrees. He was evacuated to a local medical center, then later to Savannah, Georgia, for specialized care, where he died.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of one Soldier a year to on-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the third on-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap of FY23 and below the number of on-duty sports, recreation and physical training fatalities from this time last year.
 

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A 20-year-old Specialist assigned to Destin, Florida, died in a PMV-4 mishap 27 August 2023 in Ponce de Leon, Florida, at 1741 local. The Soldier was traveling west on the interstate when his vehicle began to hydroplane, left the roadway and struck a tree. The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) responded and pronounced him dead at the scene. The Soldier was wearing his seat belt and alcohol was not involved. Speed is suspected to be a contributing factor. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for HCSO 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 31st PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip
Speeding is a factor in nearly 10,000 fatal crashes every year in the United States. And speeding is easily preventable. But despite this clear danger we can easily avoid, drivers continue to speed and drive well over the speed limit every day, causing serious accidents and fatalities.

As a driver, what can you do about speeding? The first step is understanding just how dangerous speeding is: Your crash risk increases incrementally for every mile per hour over the speed limit.

Speeding is dangerously deadly, but we don’t always realize we’re doing it. You may get distracted or simply caught up in the flow of traffic before you realize that you’re speeding. Follow these tips to avoid speeding and become a safer driver.

Use cruise control: Using cruise control can save you effort and energy while maintaining a more consistent safe speed. Cruise control keeps your vehicle at the speed you set. While it’s not useful for surface streets or traffic, cruise control can be invaluable if you’re on a long road trip, especially if you need to watch your speed.

Give yourself time to drive: Speeding often happens when drivers are running late or are in a hurry. It’s not always easy but leaving a few minutes early or at least on time can alleviate your stress and make it easier to avoid feeling like you need to speed to make it on time. Are you already running late? Before you head out, call or send a text message to let them know you’re late so you’ll be more relaxed.

Note speed limits wherever you drive: It’s all too easy to go with what feels comfortable and not worry about what the speed limit sign says. But speed limits are set with safety in mind, factoring safety and road conditions. Make sure you’re paying attention to and following speed limits.

Don’t keep up with speeders: Even if you’re obeying the speed limit, others may not. Resist the temptation to keep up with them and avoid letting them influence your driving habits to get you to go faster. Simply let them go around.

Don’t be intimidated by tailgaters: Some speeders will even ride your tail in an attempt to intimidate other drivers into driving faster. Don’t let this happen. Keep a safe speed and allow speeding tailgaters to go around you or move over to the right lane so they can easily pass you on the left.

Keep an eye out for speeding vehicles: Speeders going faster than you and especially more quickly than the flow of traffic is a dangerous factor on the road. You’ll need to watch out for them and be on high alert for hazards any time you notice a speeding vehicle. It’s best to avoid them and stay out of their way as much as possible.

Be mindful of the music you’re listening to: Hard rock or fast-paced music might encourage you to drive faster than you should. Listening to classical or light music can help you slow down.

Drive a slower car: If you’re driving a performance vehicle, you’re probably predisposed to speeding. But in a slower car, faster speed simply doesn’t come as quickly, making it easier for you to manage your speed.

Stay with the flow of traffic: Generally, traffic flows at a safe rate and it’s best to stay at about the same speed as everyone else. Of course, if everyone else is severely exceeding the speed limit, it’s a good idea to slow down and let them pass.

Always stay aware of the situation: If traffic is slowing down ahead of you, there’s probably a good reason. You should slow down, too, avoiding any hazards up ahead.

Tips provide by defensivedriving.org.
 

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A 21-year-old Specialist assigned to Okinawa, Japan, died in a PMV-2 mishap 30 June 2023 in Charlotte Amalie, United States Virgin Islands, at 2251 local. While on PCS leave, the Soldier reportedly was negotiating a corner, struck a curb, lost control and was thrown from his motorcycle. The United States Virgin Islands Police Department responded to the scene. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including the Soldier’s use of personal protective equipment, completion of the required Motorcycle Safety Foundation training, licensing, speed or the involvement of alcohol, is unknown.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 24 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 32nd PMV-2 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.
 

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A 25-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to the United States Army Recruiting Station Medina, Ohio, died as a result of a PMV-2 mishap that occurred 22 August 2023 in Strongsville, Ohio, at 0851 local. The Soldier was riding his sport bike through an intersection when a vehicle failed to yield the right-of-way while making a left-hand turn. The Soldier laid down the motorcycle, slid on the roadway and was pinned under the vehicle. Emergency medical services responded and transported him to the local hospital, where he was placed on a ventilator. He was removed from life support and died 28 August 2023. The Soldier was wearing all personal protective equipment; however, his Army mandated motorcycle training certifications are unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting law enforcement to release its final report.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 24 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 31st PMV-2 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

Safety tip

We’ve all heard stories of bikers who laid down their motorcycles when they were in imminent danger of a collision. By doing so, they may have faced a few minor injuries but likely prevented a major crash. No one wants to resort to laying down their bike unless it is necessary, so it’s important to understand how and when to lay down your bike.

Some bikers go by the mantra that it’s never a good idea to lay down your bike. They believe that the need to lay down your bike is caused by careless riding, failing to be aware of your surroundings, and not having proper motorcycle skills. They argue that by laying down your bike, you deliberately relinquish all control and are vulnerable of being struck or being in an even worse crash.

There’s merit to this argument. After all, if you ride defensively, can handle your bike well, and anticipate problems that could cause crashes, you can probably avoid most collisions. Obviously, the best way to be safe on your bike is to know how to ride your bike safely. That is, to know how to recognize and handle potential hazards and act to prevent crashes from occurring.

On its side, your bike has little traction, and you will have no control. If you have ever lost control of your bike, you know this is a bad scenario. Upright, you have control, and your bike has traction. The moment you choose to lay down your motorcycle, you are accepting injuries to your body and damage to your bike. Ever had road rash before? It isn't pretty! And head and neck injuries and broken bones are not unusual when you lay down your bike. It is a fallacy to believe that you are better protected by laying down your bike.

Years ago, laying the motorcycle down to avoid a crash was taught in motorcycle safety courses. But this was during a time when motorcycle brakes were weak, and braking was not an option to avoid an imminent crash. Also, maneuverability of these older bikes presented more of a challenge. But today’s bikes have come a long way. Brakes are more powerful than ever, and most bikes are easily maneuverable. Although I’m not going to say that there is never a reason to lay down your bike, I think you should avoid it. Lay down your bike and your risk of injury and damage to your bike is near 100 percent.

Let’s say, for example, that you are making a turn and the vehicle next to you didn’t see you. They are veering right into your lane, and you don’t have an easy escape route. Lay down your bike and you will face significant injuries, and you might still be struck regardless. But staying on your bike and steer and brake defensively and you stand a good chance of avoiding the collision, preventing injury and damage to your bike.

One way to keep yourself safe without having to lay your bike down is by maintaining your motorcycle. By checking and replacing your tires as needed, you ensure that you have proper traction in an emergency. And by maintaining your brakes to manufacturer specifications, you know they will be ready to stop your motorcycle in an instant. Another great way to avoid a collision is to practice riding in a near-collision situation. Set up some cones in an empty parking lot and pretend they are cars, jutting out in front of you. Practice maneuvering and get a feel for how to brake and swerve in an emergency.

Prevention is the key to not having to lay down your motorcycle. Always ride defensively. Far too often, drivers are unaware of motorcyclists on the road around them. They may be caught up in their music, cellphone, or snack and fail to notice you on the road. Or they may be paying attention and just miss you due to the smaller profile of a motorcycle. Whatever the reason, never assume that a motorist sees you. Even if you make eye contact with a motorist, do not assume that they know you are there.

Don’t assume that because you have been riding for years you are safe and not at risk of a crash. The truth is that any biker, no matter how experienced, can be involved in a motorcycle crash. In fact, experienced bikers often become complacent and fail to be vigilant when they ride. Remember that safety never stops! It sounds hokey, but you can never be too cautious when on a motorcycle. It could be a matter of life and death.

Tips by Andrew Kass – Kass and Moses Motorcycle Blog
 

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