Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 28-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died in a motorcycle mishap 30 May 2026 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 2352 local. The Soldier lost control after passing another vehicle and was ejected from his motorcycle. He then slid into the oncoming traffic lane, where he was struck by an oncoming vehicle. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene, where the Soldier was pronounced dead. Personal protective equipment use, training, speed, and the involvement of alcohol or drugs are 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 13th motorcycle fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

When passing vehicles on a motorcycle:

• Evaluate: Ensure there is sufficient clear roadway and that oncoming traffic permits the maneuver. Avoid passing near intersections, driveways or blind curves.
• Position: Move to the left portion of your lane to increase your line of sight and make yourself visible in the driver’s rearview mirror.
• Signal and Check: Use your turn signal, glance in your mirrors and perform a head check to ensure no one is approaching from behind.
• Execute: Accelerate smoothly and decisively. Do not hesitate once you have committed to the pass.
• Return: Select a safe space cushion in front of the vehicle you passed, signal your return to the lane, check your mirrors and merge back in safely.

A Soldier died in an aviation mishap 31 May 2026 in Erbil, Iraq, at 1920 local. The mishap occurred during rescue hoist training operations involving an HH-60M aircraft. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY22, the Army has had an average of one Class A aviation hoist operation mishap. This is the first hoist operation mishap in FY26.

A 24-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in a motorcycle mishap 28 May 2026 in Clarksville, Tennessee, at 1900 local. The Soldier collided with an SUV that turned left across his lane. Police and emergency medical services personnel responded to the scene, where he was pronounced dead. A second rider received minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Personal protective equipment use, training, speed, and potential alcohol or drug involvement are 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 12th motorcycle fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Motorcycle collisions with cars turning in front of the rider are the most frequent and deadliest type of motorcycle mishaps. A strategy for reducing motorcycle mishap factors is Search – Evaluate – Execute (SEE). This is a continuous process when riding.

Search – Actively scan and identify factors that could create increased risk.

• Traffic controls
• Roadway users
• Road and surface conditions
• Escape paths (front and to each side)

Evaluate – Think about what could happen.

Execute – Rider's motor skills used to prevent or avoid the hazard.

• Adjusting speed
• Adjusting position
• Communicating intentions

A 22-year-old Specialist assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, died in a motorcycle mishap 25 May 2026 in Turnagain Arm, Alaska, at 1500 local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle when he collided with a passenger vehicle as it attempted to turn onto the highway. The Anchorage Police Department responded to the scene, where the Soldier was pronounced dead. Personal protective equipment use, training, and the involvement of alcohol or drugs are 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 11th motorcycle fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

A 34-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, died in an automobile mishap 9 May 2026 in Travis County, Texas, at 0300 local. The Soldier’s vehicle collided with an unknown object. Local police and emergency medical services personnel pronounced him dead at the scene. The Soldier’s passenger was transported to a local hospital and later released. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This was the 20th off-duty automobile fatality of FY26 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year.