Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A Staff Sergeant assigned to Fort Drum, New York, died in a motorcycle mishap 12 July 2025 in Macomb, New York, at 1900 local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle when he lost control while navigating a curve and struck a guardrail. New York State Police responded and attempted lifesaving measures, but the Soldier died from his injuries. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 30 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the 23rd motorcycle fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

A whopping 77% of single-vehicle motorcycle accidents are the result of the rider failing to negotiate a curve. Here are some tips:

1. Think outside the curve, inside the curve, outside the curve. Whenever you approach a sweeping, decelerating or blind curve, always attack it from the yellow line if you are curving right, or from the white line if you are curving left.
2. You must never grab the front brake in a panic when the bike is leaning in a curve.
3. Your wheel speed should always be in direct correlation with your site distance, meaning that if you can only see three seconds ahead, your top speed should be no more than 30 mph. (Two seconds = 20 mph. Five seconds = 50 mph. Eight seconds = 80 mph, etc.) Make sure to throttle/gear down and up accordingly.
4. Learn how to use the rear brake! It is essential when leaning over, or at speeds of 5 mph or below. Often, when leaning over and traveling downhill, you don't want to slow down as much, as you want to get some "speed" out of the motorcycle. This can be done by "chopping" the throttle or by applying a bit of rear brake. The next time you have some free time, go to an empty parking lot and practice riding at, say, 5 mph with your right foot on the rear brake pedal but not applying any pressure — term known as feathering. This is best done with a partner. Have your partner walk at a normal pace slightly in front of the motorcycle as you ride and see if you can keep up. Then do a role reversal. At no time should your partner see the brake light come on.
5. Don't just brake — brake and downshift! When your site distance compresses from six seconds to five seconds, and you begin to brake from 60 mph to 50 mph, you should also downshift from sixth gear to fifth. (Five seconds to four seconds means 50 mph to 40 mph and fifth to fourth gear. Four seconds to three seconds means 40 mph to 30 mph and fourth to third gear, etc.)
6. When you find yourself in a curve, make sure that you also turn your head in the direction you want the motorcycle to go! Don't target fixate.
7. Don't ever stop riding the motorcycle. A motorcycle is capable of leaning over far more than you can imagine. Thus, the proper technique is to push even harder on the handlebar as the curve begins to tighten. This is very counterintuitive for most people, so do yourself a favor and take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse or Advanced RiderCourse if you have not done so.

Tips provided from V-Twin forum

A Sergeant assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, died in a motorcycle mishap 6 July 2025 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, at 0240 local. The Soldier was traveling northbound when his motorcycle left the roadway in a left-hand curve and struck a guardrail. Local emergency medical services personnel arrived on the scene and pronounced the Soldier dead. He reportedly was not wearing a helmet at the time of the mishap. Additional information is currently unavailable. 

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 30 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the 22nd motorcycle fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

• Motorcycle riders continue to be overrepresented in fatal traffic crashes. In 2023, there were 6,335 motorcyclists killed — 15% of all traffic fatalities. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data show that this is the highest number of motorcyclists killed since at least 1975.
• Per vehicle miles traveled in 2023, motorcyclists were about 28 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and were five times more likely to be injured. Safe motorcycling takes balance, coordination and good judgment.
• In states without universal helmet laws, based on known helmet use, 54% of motorcyclists killed in 2022 were not wearing helmets, as compared to 11% in states with universal helmet laws.
• Motorcycle riders killed in traffic crashes at night were almost three times more frequently found to be alcohol-impaired than those killed during the day (42% and 16%) in 2022.

Tips provided by NHTSA

A Staff Sergeant assigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, died in a motorcycle mishap 8 July 2025 in Lawton, Oklahoma, at 2346 local. The Soldier was traveling eastbound when a passenger vehicle attempted to turn into a residential area, resulting in a collision. He was ejected from his motorcycle and struck a concrete wall. Local emergency medical services personnel responded to the scene and transported the Soldier to Comanche County Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Soldier was reportedly wearing all required personal protective equipment at the time of the mishap. It is currently unknown whether he completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse or possessed a motorcycle endorsement on his driver’s license.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 30 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the 21st motorcycle fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Motorcycle safety tips for vehicles turning left in front of you:

• Take a second look to make sure it is safe to proceed.
• Slow down and maintain control of the motorcycle.
• Allow adequate space between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Treat any left-turning vehicle as an immediate threat.
• Stay in your lane and not make an unsafe last-minute lane change.
• Remain idle until it is safe to proceed.
• Do not proceed to turn until all pedestrians and oncoming vehicles and motorcycles are clear.

Tips provided by the NSC, NHTSA and GTSC New York.

A 30-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in an off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishap 2 July 2025 in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, at 1700 local. The Soldier drowned while attempting to swim to shore after falling from his paddleboard during heavy rain. 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 sixth 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 fourth off-duty water-related fatality of FY25.

Safety Tips

• Learn to swim. Basic swimming skills are essential for water safety. Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning.
• Wear a personal flotation device (PFD): Always wear a life jacket or PFD while paddleboarding to enhance safety.
• Check weather conditions: Before heading out, check the weather forecast and avoid paddling in adverse conditions.
• Use proper equipment: Ensure your paddleboard and gear are in good condition. Carry safety equipment like a whistle and a leash.
• Stay within your skill level: Don’t push yourself beyond your experience and physical abilities. Choose calm waters if you are a beginner.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Keep an eye out for other watercraft and obstacles and be mindful of currents and tides.
• Use the buddy system: Always participate in water activities with a buddy, especially in areas where lifeguards are not present. The buddy system is especially beneficial for people with medical conditions that increase their risk of drowning.

A Specialist assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, died in a motorcycle mishap 5 July 2025 in Richmond Hill, Georgia, at 1500 local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle when a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction turned in front of him, causing a collision. Emergency medical services transported the Soldier to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The incident is under investigation and further details are currently unavailable.  

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 30 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the 20th motorcycle fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Motorcycle safety tips for vehicles turning left in front of you:

• Take a second look to make sure it is safe to proceed.
• Slow down and maintain control of the motorcycle.
• Allow adequate space between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Treat any left-turning vehicle as an immediate threat.
• Stay in your lane and not make an unsafe last-minute lane change.
• Remain idle until it is safe to proceed.
• Do not proceed to turn until all pedestrians and oncoming vehicles and motorcycles are clear.

Tips provided by the NSC, NHTSA and GTSC New York.