Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian employee assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, died in an Industrial/Occupational mishap 6 June 2025 on the installation at 1300 local. The employee was operating a utility vehicle that overturned on a trail from Russell Landing Marina to Northwest Adventure Center. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of one DOD Civilian employee a year. This was the first DOD Civilian employee fatality of FY25.

Safety Tips

When operating utility vehicles:

• Inspect the vehicle daily for any fuel/oil leaks, warning decal damage, lighting issues and properly inflated tires. Check for missing parts and proper load security and ensure safety guards/shields are in place.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as a hard hat, safety glasses, gloves and high-visibility clothing, and always wear your seat belt.
• Familiarize yourself with the vehicle’s controls.
• Check your surroundings for any obstacles or hazards.
• Drive at a safe speed, following speed limits. Avoid sudden maneuvers.
• Turn on level ground when possible, reducing speed and turning slowly on rough terrain.
• On rough terrain, use existing trails and avoid obstacles. Travel straight up or down slopes and avoid driving perpendicular to them.
• Reduce speed on rough terrain and avoid sudden movements to prevent rollovers. When descending slopes, brake frequently and do not "freewheel."
• Stay aware of your surroundings, including other workers and obstacles, using mirrors and cameras. Avoid distractions, such as cellphone use.

A 24-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in a Government Motor Vehicle mishap 5 June 2025 while deployed at Camp Croft, Hungary, around 1300 local. During a vehicle movement, the third vehicle did not arrive at the destination. Following a search, the vehicle was found overturned, and all five Soldiers on board were injured. Three Soldiers were treated at the camp aid station, and two Soldiers were transported to a local hospital, where one of the Soldiers was pronounced dead. The U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is leading an investigation into the mishap.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of five Soldiers a year to Government Motor Vehicle mishaps. This mishap was the eighth Government Motor Vehicle fatality of FY25 and more than the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety Tips

Driver Training: Ensure all drivers are properly trained in convoy procedures and emergency response protocols. Leaders must emphasize driver training and ensure drivers and vehicle commanders are trained and licensed and all crewmembers are familiar with conducting the egress/rollover procedure IAW TM 9-2320-462-10.

Vehicle Inspection: Conduct a thorough vehicle inspection before departure, including checking tires, brakes and lights and ensuring all loads are properly secured. Also conduct PCCs, PCIs and drills.

Route Planning: Establish a planned route, including potential hazards and alternate routes. Conduct reconnaissance to identify potential threats and hazards along the route.

Convoy Briefing: Convoy briefs must be conducted to ensure all members of the convoy understand the mission objectives, route details and potential hazards. Ensure your convoy brief addresses control measures to mitigate hazards identified in your risk assessment, such as vehicle restraint use, speed limits, terrain, road conditions and safe following distances. The Joint Risk Assessment Tool (JRAT) provides numerous potential subtasks, hazards and control measures associated with vehicle operations.

Safely Stow Equipment: Ensure equipment is stowed outside the ISV Rollover Protection System (ROPS) and on the sides of the vehicle. This will assist in the event of a rollover, where the gear stowed externally to the vehicle will be forced inside the silhouette formed by the ROPS. Gear that is stowed internally or on top could impact the Soldiers. If gear and equipment enter the survival space during a rollover, it may compress/crush the head, neck and/or spine of vehicle occupants.

Communication: The convoy commander and vehicle commanders must maintain communication throughout the convoy. Regular check-ins with the lead and rear vehicles are conducted and communication systems are used to report any issues or hazards. Inform personnel of upcoming checkpoints, turns, danger areas and possible threats. Establish clear communication protocols, including radio channels, signal systems (e.g., using lights or horns) and emergency procedures.

PPE: All vehicle occupants must wear personal protective equipment (head, hand, eye, ear and foot protection).

Buckle Up: All occupants must utilize the complete seat belt system and ensure the seat belt is properly fastened and adjusted. A seat belt may keep you in your seat and help you maintain control of the vehicle.

Maintain Safe Spacing: Keep a safe distance between vehicles, allowing for safe braking and maneuvering. Consider increasing spacing on dusty or slippery roads.

Speed: Reduce speeds during turns and other maneuvers. Speeds must be reduced according to weather and road/terrain conditions. Always approach slopes head-on and avoid side slopes whenever possible. Failure to adhere to safety precautions may cause the vehicle to overturn.

Be Alert and Aware: Always pay close attention to the surrounding environment and be aware of potential hazards, such as other vehicles, pedestrians or road debris.

Avoid Fatigue: Take regular breaks and ensure all drivers are rested and alert to avoid fatigue-related accidents.

Handling Obstacles: During operations where the terrain's severity increases, speed must be reduced to ensure the operator can account for obstacles in a timely manner. If an obstacle is encountered, clear it safely if possible. If not, avoid the obstacle or have a ground guide dismount and check for a safe distance. Always follow in the front vehicle’s tracks.

Avoid Splitting Up: Avoid splitting up during convoy operations under any circumstances. The vehicle commander must help maintain the correct route and rate of march IAW convoy commander guidance. The vehicle commander must also alert the convoy commander and other vehicle commanders if there is a probability of a split-up.

JRAT is designed to assist users with creating an automated deliberate risk management worksheet (DD Form 2977) and the application of risk management. Check it out at https://jrat.safety.army.mil.

A 19-year-old Specialist assigned to U.S. Army Reserve Center, New Jersey, died in an off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishap 30 May 2025 in Taiwan at 1715 local. The Soldier was on leave at a beach when he was pulled out to sea by the current. His body was recovered the following day. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishaps. This mishap was the fifth off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training fatality of FY25 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year. This was also the third off-duty water-related fatality of FY25. 

Safety Tips

• Only undertake ocean activities when a lifeguard is present.
• Check the water conditions before you go out, paying particular attention to hazards such as rip currents, rocks and shore breaks. If in doubt, don’t go out.
• Swim with a buddy.
• Know your limits and don’t push beyond your abilities.
• It’s important that you know how to swim if you go snorkeling. At a minimum, wear a flotation device.
• Wave heights can increase quickly. If they do, dive underneath the wave, come up behind it and then swim to shore between wave sets.
• Do not go into the ocean under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which greatly increase your risk of drowning.
• If you are caught in a rip current, remain calm and go with the flow – don't fight the current. Once the rip current releases you offshore, swim at an angle away from the current, toward the shore, and call or signal for help.

A 29-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in an automobile mishap 1 June 2025 in El Paso, Texas, at 0200 local. During the mishap sequence, the Soldier’s vehicle overturned and caught fire. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 20th automobile fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this time last year.

A 20-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, died in an automobile mishap 25 May 2025 in Junction City, Kansas, at 0230 local. The Soldier was driving alone at a high rate of speed when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. The mishap is under investigation and further details are currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 19th automobile fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this time last year. 

Safety Tips

Driving while drowsy is similar to driving under the influence of alcohol. Drivers’ reaction times, hazard awareness and ability to sustain attention all worsen the drowsier the driver. Driving after going more than 20 hours without sleep is the equivalent of driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% — the U.S. legal limit.

A driver might not even know when he or she is fatigued because signs of fatigue are hard to identify. Some people may also experience micro-sleep — short, involuntary periods of inattention. In the four or five seconds a driver experiences micro-sleep at highway speed, the vehicle will travel the length of a football field.

Speeding endangers everyone on the road. In 2023, speeding killed 11,775 people. We all know the frustrations of modern life and juggling a busy schedule, but speed limits are put in place to protect all road users. For more than two decades, speeding has been 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 at night in an area that isn’t well lit. Speeding endangers not only the life of the speeder, but also all of the people on the road around them, including law enforcement officers.

Source: Tips from NSC and NHTSA