Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 22-year-old Specialist assigned to 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, died in an automobile mishap 20 December 2025 in Calhoun, Louisiana, at 0120 local. The Soldier was decelerating and attempting to pull his vehicle onto the shoulder of the road when he was struck from behind by another vehicle. First responders pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the fifth automobile fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year. 

Safety Tips

Improper lane changes and other roadway departures are a significant safety concern. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that nearly half of all fatal crashes in the United States involved a roadway departure. Furthermore, lane changing and merging maneuvers account for 4 percent of all fatal crashes. To ensure you can decelerate and pull over safely on a high-speed interstate and avoid becoming part of these statistics, here are some essential tips to follow:

• Signal early: Activate your turn signal at least five to eight seconds before you plan to move over. This gives other drivers ample warning.
• Check mirrors and blind spots: Always check your mirrors and look over your shoulder before changing lanes to ensure no vehicle is in your blind spot.
• Decelerate gradually: Avoid slamming on your brakes. Ease off the accelerator and apply brakes gently to slow down smoothly, preventing a potential rear-end collision.
• Maneuver smoothly to the shoulder: Once you have a clear path, steer carefully onto the shoulder.
• Activate hazard lights: As soon as you are safely stopped, turn on your emergency flashers to maximize your vehicle's visibility.
• Exit safely: If you need to get out of your car, only exit on the passenger side, away from the flow of traffic.

A 20-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in a motorcycle mishap 19 December 2025 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, at 1255 local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle when he struck the rear of a truck that was stopped at an intersection. He was ejected from the motorcycle and struck by a second vehicle. The Fayetteville Police Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the scene, where EMS personnel pronounced the Soldier dead. Personal protective equipment use, rider training, speed, and the potential involvement of alcohol or drugs are all currently unknown. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 31 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the fifth motorcycle fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year. 

Safety Tips

Motorcycle safety at intersections is critical, as these are high-risk areas for collisions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclist fatalities from frontal impacts with other vehicles accounted for 56 percent of motorcycle deaths in 2021. To help prevent a similar tragedy, it's crucial to practice defensive riding techniques, especially when approaching intersections. Here are some essential safety tips to help motorcyclists avoid collisions with stopped or slowing vehicles at intersections:

• Increase following distance: Maintain a minimum of a four-second following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. This provides more time and space to react to sudden stops.
• Cover your brakes: As you approach an intersection, rest your fingers on the brake lever and your foot over the rear brake pedal. This reduces your reaction time if you need to stop quickly.
• Scan for hazards: Actively scan the intersection ahead, looking for brake lights, traffic signals and potential cross traffic. Anticipate that vehicles may stop suddenly.
• Position for visibility: Ride in the portion of the lane that makes you most visible to the driver in front of you and to other vehicles at the intersection. Avoid lingering in a vehicle's blind spot.
• Practice emergency braking: Regularly practice controlled, hard braking in a safe environment, like an empty parking lot. Knowing how to use both front and rear brakes effectively without locking them is a critical skill.
• Be ready to maneuver: Always have an escape path in mind. Identify an area to move into, such as the shoulder or an adjacent lane, if the vehicle ahead stops abruptly and you cannot stop in time.

A 20-year-old Private Second Class assigned to 101st Division Artillery, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in an automobile mishap 18 December 2025 on the installation at 0930 local. Two Soldiers were in a private motor vehicle that collided with a vehicle occupied by three other Soldiers. One Soldier was pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the mishap. Additional information is currently unavailable. 

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the fourth automobile fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year. 

Safety Tip

For information on private motor vehicle safety, check out the Private Motor Vehicles (PMVs) In the Spotlight Series or the complete Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation at https://safety.army.mil/ODSAP.

A 28-year-old Specialist assigned to Kadena Air Base, Japan, died in a motorcycle mishap 4 December 2025 near Torii Station, Japan, at 2345 local. The Soldier was riding his motorcycle when he struck a median barrier. Japanese police responded to the scene and transported the Soldier to University of the Ryukyu Hospital, where he died the following day. Personal protective equipment use, training, speed and the involvement of alcohol or drugs are all currently unknown. Additional information is unavailable.  

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 31 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the fourth motorcycle fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year. 

A 25-year-old Sergeant assigned to Security Assistance Training Management Organization, Security Assistance Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, died in an automobile mishap 4 December 2025 in Raeford, North Carolina, at 1745 local. The Soldier's vehicle collided with a school bus. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The bus driver and the students were not injured. An investigation by local law enforcement revealed the Soldier was driving faster than the posted speed limit. Additional information is currently unavailable. 

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the third automobile fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

For more than two decades, speeding was involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. In 2023, speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities. Speed also affects your safety even when you are driving at the speed limit but too fast for road conditions, such as during bad weather, when a road is under repair or in an area at night that isn’t well lit. Use these safe driving tips to help you learn to stop speeding and be a safer driver.

Start Cruising: The easiest way to avoid speeding is to use your cruise control. Most modern cars come equipped with cruise control, which lets you set a specific speed for driving. Your car will take care of maintaining and regulating your speed so you can focus on potential hazards on the road. Be sure to cancel cruise control if you find yourself in a high-risk area like an active construction zone. You should also avoid cruise control in wet or icy weather, as it can cause your vehicle to lose grip on the road.

Give Yourself More Time: Get in the habit of leaving a cushion around your travel time. Start by adding a couple of minutes. Then, as your new habit forms, start adding extra time based on where you’re going, your journey’s length and the traffic situation. (This practice also helps you avoid stressing out when you experience hold-ups.)

Identify Speeding Triggers: Speeding doesn’t always happen because you’re running late. Other factors like stress or anger can cause you to drive too fast. Learning your triggers can help you learn how to stop speeding altogether.

Practice Calming Exercises: A lot of drivers start speeding when they’re stressed or angry. If a driver cuts you off, it can frustrate you. Even if you don’t notice, there’s a good chance you’re pressing harder on the gas pedal. Calming exercises like breathing routines could help reduce these feelings — and your speed.