Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 27-year-old Private First Class assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, died in an off-duty water-related mishap 30 December 2022 in Maunalua Bay, Hawaii, at 1630 local. The Soldier was swimming with friends and did not return to shore. When his friends could not locate him, they called emergency services. The Honolulu Fire Department arrived at the scene and found the Soldier about 15 feet below the surface on the ocean floor. Emergency services attempted to resuscitate the Soldier but were unsuccessful and pronounced him dead. The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) notified the staff duty officer of the mishap. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for the HPD to release its final report.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to off-duty water-related mishaps. This mishap was the first off-duty water-related fatality of FY23.

Tips:

Beneath the ocean’s beautiful blue surface, conditions can be unpredictable and even fatal. Ocean safety experts recommend checking with lifeguards before you enter the water to determine potential hazards like rip currents, hidden rocks and shorebreaks. Then you can experience the majesty of the ocean, with reverence and respect for its awesome power.
•Only undertake ocean activities when a lifeguard is present or go with professional and certified watermen.
•Check conditions before you go out to look for ocean hazards such as rip currents, rocks, and shorebreaks.
•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, and at the very minimum wear a flotation device.
•If in doubt, don’t go out.
•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.

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A Sergeant assigned to Miami, Florida, died in an off-duty sports, recreation, and physical training mishap 24 December 2022 in Ocala, Florida, at 1430 local. The reporting unit was notified by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) that the Soldier was involved in a mishap involving his recreational electric ‘kick’ scooter. He was transported to Ocala Regional Hospital, Ocala, where he later succumbed to his injuries. It is currently unknown if a civilian PMV was involved in the incident, however, due to the severity of his injuries, it is assumed. The exact cause and circumstances of the mishap is still under investigation by the FHP.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of 11 Soldiers a year to off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the second off-duty sports, recreation, and physical training fatality of FY23 and above the number of off-duty sports, recreation, and physical training fatalities from this time last year.

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A 21-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina died from a PMV-4 mishap 24 December 2022, near Goldsboro, North Carolina, at 2200 local. The Soldier was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his vehicle, overturned, and was ejected from the vehicle. He was transported by EMT to UNC Wayne Memorial Hospital and died from his injuries at 0334 on 25 December. It is suspected the Soldier was not wearing his seatbelt and it is currently unknown if alcohol or drugs are contributing factors. The safety/unit points of contact are waiting for law enforcement 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 10th PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

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A Sergeant assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in a PMV-2 mishap that occurred 11 December 2022 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, at 2000 local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle when he reportedly collided with a civilian car. He was initially transported to the local emergency room but then flown to Chapel Hill for further evaluation and treatment. He was placed on a ventilator but succumbed to his injuries five days later. The Soldier was properly licensed, completed the BRC-I and BRC-II, and was wearing the required personal protective equipment. Preliminary reports indicated the helmet’s integrity failed upon impact with the ground. Local authorities reported that alcohol was not suspected as a contributing factor. It is unknown if speed was a factor. The safety/unit points of contact are waiting for the Fayetteville Police Department to release its final report.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of 24 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the fifth PMV-2 fatality of FY23.

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A 31-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in a pedestrian mishap 9 December 2022, at 0936 local. The Soldier was walking south along Knox Street, when he attempted to cross at an intersection but failed to ensure that all lanes were clear. Traffic moving along Knox Street had a green light and one driver realized the Soldier was about to cross and stopped. A second vehicle did not see the Soldier when he entered his lane and struck the Soldier. The Soldier was transported to the local medical center. Upon arrival, he was pronounced dead.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of six Soldiers a year to pedestrian mishaps. This mishap was the first pedestrian fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries and fatalities remain high. In 2020, 6,516 pedestrians were killed, and an estimated 55,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration raises awareness of the dangers to pedestrians and provides tips to keep them safe.

Walking Safety Tips
1.Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
2.Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
3.If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
4.Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
5.If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
6.Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots.
7.Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
8.Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation - get up, get out and get moving.

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