Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A Private First Class assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, died in a sports, recreation and physical training mishap 10 July 2021 at 1720 local. The Soldier was at a lake with a group of people, when he began swimming approximately 100-150 meters from shore to retrieve a floatation toy. He was seen flailing his arms before he submerged beneath the surface. Another Soldier dove in to save him but was unable to locate the body. The water in that area contained a large amount of aquatic hydrilla grass, which significantly decreased visibility and formed a swimming hazard. Emergency service personnel were dispatched to the scene at 1730 and began a thorough search, using boats, sonar and divers. The search was halted at 2130 hours due to darkness and complications from the dense vegetation. The search resumed the following morning at 0800. The Soldier’s body was not located until 12 July at 1120. Initial reports indicate the Soldier was not under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance at the time of the drowning.

Since FY16, the Army has lost an average of 12 Soldiers a year to off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This tragedy was the fifth fatal off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap of FY21.



Before entering or being around the water, keep these things in mind because they could save your life or the life of someone you care about.

Expect the unexpected – Accidents can happen within seconds, so always be prepared for the unexpected. If you jump into water that is colder than 70 degrees, you can inhale water from involuntary gasping, hyperventilation, panic and sometimes vertigo that can cause you to drown.

Know your swimming abilities – Be aware that swimming in natural waters such as a lake, river or pond is different from swimming in a pool, and your swimming ability decreases with age. It is never too late to take swimming lessons and learn to swim well. Several people every year drown while swimming to retrieve boats and toys. Let those go because they are not worth losing your life over.

Choose swimming areas carefully – Murky lake and river water can hide sharp or slippery rocks, uneven or unstable logs, and “strainers” or underwater branches and root systems that can easily catch your feet. These are constantly changing in unpredictable ways.

Alcohol and water are a deadly combination – Alcohol induces an inner ear condition (caloric labyrinthitis) that can cause you to become disoriented when underwater and not realize which way is up. If you jump or fall in the water, you can become disoriented and swim down instead of up to safety, causing you to drown. This can more likely happen if you have been consuming alcohol.

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Two Privates assigned to the Army Reserve, Tupelo, Mississippi, on battle assembly orders died in a pedestrian mishap 9 July 2021 in New Albany, Mississippi, at 0800 local. Four Army Reserve Soldiers were traveling on Interstate 22 near Myrtle and New Albany, Mississippi, en route to battle assembly when one of the Soldiers experienced a flat tire on her vehicle. Two other Soldiers stopped to render assistance in changing the tire and were both struck by a vehicle. The two Soldiers were dead when Mississippi Highway Patrol arrived on scene.

Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to pedestrian/non-motorist mishaps. This mishap resulted in the fifth and sixth pedestrian/non-motorist fatalities of FY21.


When dealing with a flat tire on the highway:

Pull over and out of traffic if possible — Even if all of the emergency lights are activated, some highway drivers do not pay close attention and could rear-end the disabled vehicle, causing further damage or injury.

Alert other drivers — Once off the road, put out reflectorized triangles behind your vehicle to alert other drivers. Keep your emergency flashers on. Keep as much distance as possible between you and the disabled vehicle until traffic has been diverted around it.

Tackle changing a tire only if you can do so without placing yourself in danger — If you know how to change a tire, have the equipment and can do it safely without being near traffic, change the tire as you normally would.

Remember that being safe must take precedence over your schedule or whatever other concerns you may have. Changing a tire with traffic whizzing past can be nerve-wracking at best and dangerous at worst. Therefore, it may be best to get professional help if you have a tire problem or other breakdown on a multi-lane highway.

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A Specialist assigned to the Army National Guard, Thibodaux, Louisiana, activated under Title 10 orders to support the Southwest border mission, died in a pedestrian mishap 10 July 2021 in McAllen, Texas, at 0330 local. The Soldier was crossing a road when he was struck by multiple civilian vehicles. He was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no other casualties reported. The specific circumstances of the mishap are unknown at this time.

Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to pedestrian/non-motorist mishaps. This mishap was the fourth pedestrian/non-motorist fatality of FY21.


Pedestrian Safety Tips:

1. Be predictable. 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. Keep alert at all times; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.

5. Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.

6. 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.

7. Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach to make sure you are seen.

8. Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.

9. Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.

10. Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.

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A Sergeant First Class assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in a PMV-4 mishap 2 July 2021 in Fall Branch, Tennessee, at 0100 local. The Tennessee Highway Patrol responded to the single-vehicle mishap, and emergency medical services personnel pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. He was positively identified by his driver’s license and rental vehicle documents. The safety/unit points of contact are awaiting for the local law enforcement to release their report. Specific circumstances of the mishap, including speed as a contributing factor, are unknown at this time. It was reported that alcohol/drugs were not involved.

Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 33 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 31st PMV-4 fatality of FY21.



According to the National Sleep Foundation, about half of U.S. adult drivers admit to consistently getting behind the wheel while feeling drowsy. About 20% admit to falling asleep behind the wheel at some point in the past year – with more than 40% admitting this has happened at least once in their driving careers.

These startling figures show how prevalent drowsy driving is. What drivers may not realize is how much drowsy driving puts themselves – and others – at risk.


Driving while drowsy is similar to driving under the influence of alcohol:

•Drivers’ reaction times, awareness of hazards and ability to sustain attention all worsen the drowsier the driver is.

•Driving after going more than 20 hours without sleep is the equivalent of driving with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08% – the U.S. legal limit.

•You are three times more likely to be in a car crash if you are fatigued.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, every year about 100,000 police-reported crashes involve drowsy driving. These crashes result in more than 1,550 fatalities and 71,000 injuries. The real number may be much higher, however, as it is difficult to determine whether a driver was drowsy at the time of a crash.

A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimated that 328,000 drowsy driving crashes occur annually. That's more than three times the police-reported number. The same study found that 109,000 of those drowsy driving crashes resulted in an injury and about 6,400 were fatal. The researchers suggest the prevalence of drowsy driving fatalities is more than 350% greater than reported.

Beyond the human toll is the economic one. NHTSA estimates fatigue-related crashes resulting in injury or death cost society $109 billion annually, not including property damage.



Interventions for Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving affects everyone, but especially those under age 25, who make up an estimated 50% or more of drowsy driving crashes.

That means interventions focusing on this age group – males especially – can help reduce drowsy driving among those vulnerable. One such intervention is for parents to incorporate discussions and rules on drowsy driving while completing their parent-teen driving agreements.

Other ways to reduce drowsy driving include:

•Crash avoidance technologies: New and existing safety technologies, such as drowsiness alert and lane departure warnings, can detect common drowsy driving patterns and warn drivers to stay in their lane or take a break

•Getting more sleep: According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, adults should get seven or more hours of sleep each night

•Medication labels: A 2015 article by Consumer Reports found that side effects warnings are not always clear; new labeling guidelines may help drivers understand when to drive or not drive after taking these medications.

•Employers: Workplaces with strong off-the-job safety and health programs can include key information on getting sufficient sleep and refraining from driving drowsy.

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A Specialist assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died 3 July 2021 from injuries sustained in a PMV-2 mishap that occurred on 24 June 2021, at approximately 2030 local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle, when he reportedly lost control while negotiating a curve, suffering a broken neck. He was air lifted to the local hospital and underwent surgery to reduce brain swelling. The Soldier’s family made the decision to remove him from life support and he died shortly after. Initial reports indicate that alcohol and drugs were not involved and speed as a contributing factor is unknown at this time. The Soldier was wearing all of the required personal protective equipment and completed the mandatory Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic RiderCourse courses.
The Soldier was an active participant in the Battalion and Brigade Motorcycle Mentorship Program and had recently completed a check ride on 20 May 2021. He had a documented T-CLOCS inspection of his motorcycle, dated 27 May 2021.

Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 27 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap is the 15th off-duty PMV-2 fatality of FY21.


Many motorcycle riders are seriously injured and die each year when they fail to negotiate turns or curves, and either end up in the opposing lane of traffic, or lose control and crash.

What is one of the main reasons motorcycle riders fail to negotiate curves or turns? Excessive speed or going too fast for road conditions.

If you ride too fast through a curve or turn, chances are you are going to either end up in the opposing lane, or you are going to crash.

What is the safest way to avoid crashing on a curve or turn? Slow down!

When approaching a curve, choose a speed and lean angle that allow you to pass through the curve in your own lane without applying the brakes. Excessive speed, improper lean angle or braking in a curve can cause loss of control. Ground clearance is reduced when the motorcycle leans. Do not allow components to contact the road surface when leaning the motorcycle in a curve, as this could cause loss of control.

Check out the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center’s website for Defense Safety Oversight Council Motorcycle Mentorship Module 24 - Cornering: Proper Speed and Lane Position: https://safety.army.mil/Portals/0/Documents/OFF-DUTY/PMV-2/MMP/DSOCMENTORSHIPMODULES/Standard/24_Cornering-Proper_Speed_and_Lane_Position_09-12_Rev.pdf

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