Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 25-year-old Active Guard Reserve First Lieutenant, assigned to T.H. Morrow United States Army Reserve Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, on orders died in an off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 5 January 2025 in Kanawha County, West Virginia, at 1930 local. The Soldier was driving in the southbound lane of Interstate 77 when she lost control of her vehicle and collided with the median barrier. After exiting her vehicle, she was struck by a civilian semi-truck. The specific circumstances of the mishap are currently unknown.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of five Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This was the second off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap of FY25 and above to the same number of off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety tip

Tips for Stopping on the Highway Shoulder
Being a pedestrian on a highway shoulder is extremely dangerous. For this reason, if you are not in an emergency, do not stop on the shoulder. Whenever possible, drive to the nearest exit. If there is no exit within a reasonable distance and you are in an emergency, consider the following tips for stopping on the highway shoulder.

1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
When you run into trouble on the road, don’t slam the brakes. You never know what other drivers are doing behind you or if they’re paying attention to what’s happening in front of them. Instead, gently and smoothly take your foot off the accelerator to gradually slow down.

2. Signal your intentions to drivers around you.
There is nothing scarier (or more annoying) than a driver who cuts into your lane without warning. Don’t do it to others. If you have an emergency of some sort and need to pull over, use your blinkers to warn other drivers that you are intending to switch lanes. If possible, use your hazard lights to indicate your situation to the drivers around you.

3. Pull to the right side.
The right lane is typically the slowest lane. Because high speeds limit reaction times and visibility, the right side of the road is generally safer.

4. Pull off the road as far as possible.
This seems like common sense; however, many people fail to follow through on this. Even when the shoulder is wide enough, you should try to pull over as far as possible. It’s best to put as much space as possible between your car and the roadway. In fact, if the ground next to the pavement is even, you may want to consider pulling off the shoulder entirely.

5. Put the parking brake on.
Ensuring your parking brake is on will keep your vehicle from easily rolling if hit.

6. Exit the vehicle and stand on the side farthest from oncoming traffic.
If a car does come careening off the road and plows into your car, you want to be standing on the other side of the car. In fact, it is in your best interest to stand a couple of hundred feet away from the vehicle and off to the side. A car traveling at a high speed can push a stopped car hundreds of feet.

7. Make sure you’re visible.
Often, accidents occur because drivers simply don’t see that someone is on the side of the road. Flags, flares and other hazard indicators can warn others of your presence on the highway shoulder — especially at night.

8. Call for help immediately.
If you don’t have the equipment to change your tire or if you spend several minutes trying to start your car — call a tow truck. Every minute you are on the side of the highway puts you at serious risk. Your priority should be your safety, not your car or saving money.

Tips provided by AI Overview, NSC, NHTSA and Carlson Law Firm blog
 

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A 19-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, died in a PMV-2 mishap 22 December 2024 in Tampa, Florida, at 1800 local. While on leave, the Soldier was involved in a motorcycle accident. He was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he died from his injuries. Personal protective equipment, training and speed are currently unknown.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 29 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the eighth PMV-2 fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

 

 

A 22-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Eisenhower, Georgia, died in a PMV-4 mishap 2 January 2025 at the access gate of Fort Eisenhower, Georgia, at 0800 local. The Soldier was driving his vehicle when a sport utility vehicle struck his vehicle. Seat belt use, speed, alcohol or drug use is currently unknown.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the ninth PMV-4 fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

 

 

A 22-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in an off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 1 January 2025 in Hoke County, North Carolina, at 0710 local. The Soldier was struck by a vehicle while walking along the road in limited visibility conditions. The specific circumstances of the mishap are currently unknown.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of five Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This was the first off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap of FY25 and equal to the same number of off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatalities for this same time last year.

 

 

A 23-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, died in a PMV-4 mishap 23 December 2024 in Cibolo, Texas, at 2320 local. The Soldier was on holiday leave driving to a friend’s house when he lost control of his vehicle and ran into a ditch. It was reported the seat belt broke during the vehicle roll over. The Soldier was ejected and pinned under the vehicle. The involvement of speed and alcohol or drug use is currently unknown.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the eighth PMV-4 fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety tip

Loss of Control
Here are some of the primary causes of losing control of a vehicle:

Road Conditions
Dangerous road conditions include those caused by inclement weather. However, dangerous road surface conditions can also be caused by poor road maintenance, including potholes and missing guardrails.

The most common cause of a dangerous road surface, however, is heavy rain.

Distractions
There is a reason most states now ban talking or texting on a cell phone while driving. Drivers can also be distracted by a variety of things, including:

• Eating or drinking.
• Talking to a passenger.
• Moving objects or animals in the vehicle.
• A fussy child or animal.
• Using a navigation system.
• Messing with the entertainment system.

Any time a driver looks away from the road, there is a risk of losing control of the car and ending up in a car crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 3,000 people per year die as a result of somebody being distracted, and many of them are not in a vehicle. Younger drivers are more likely to become distracted.

Fatigue
One of the biggest causes of accidents is drowsy driving. It causes about 6,400 deaths and 328,000 crashes every year in the U.S. alone, and it's believed many deaths go unreported.

Driving while fatigued is the same as driving while drunk. If you have gone more than 20 hours without sleep, that's the equivalent of driving at the legal alcohol limit. Drowsy driving can also be caused by some prescription and even over-the-counter medications.

Car Malfunction
A malfunction of the car itself can also cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Brake failure is obviously one of the most common causes, but other mechanical failures that can cause accidents include:

• Defective tires. Tire punctures can also cause a loss of control.
• Worn suspension.
• Steering problems.

Malfunctions of automated systems such as advanced cruise control can potentially also cause an issue. Automated systems can also increase distracted driving if drivers become too reliant on them.

Inclement Weather
Bad weather conditions that can cause a loss of control include:

• Icy roads. Note that bridges may be icy when the main roadway is not. Weather conditions that hover around freezing are perfect for the creation of black ice, which matches the road color and can be very hard to see.
• Heavy rain can create a wet surface. This causes hydroplaning, where the car loses all grip. Due to how common it is, rain is the most dangerous weather condition.
• High winds. A high crosswind or gust can cause the car to go sideways across the road. Empty semis are the vehicle at most risk of losing control due to high winds, but high winds can affect SUVs and even passenger cars.
• Sand or debris. Debris on the road can cause you to lose control, or you might lose control while attempting to avoid the debris.

Inclement weather can be particularly hard to avoid.

Aggressive or Reckless Driving

This includes driving while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs. It also includes going too fast for the conditions, whether it's the type of road, the weather, or the levels of traffic.

Aggressive driving also includes road rage, where you become emotionally compromised and start to drive badly because you are angry at the actions of another driver.

Seat belt maintenance tips include:

• Regular inspection: Check for wear, fraying, or damage.
• Cleaning: Remove dirt, grime, and sweat using an all-purpose cleaner and a brush.
• Lubrication: Ensure smooth operation by lubricating the seat belt retractor.
• Functionality check: Periodically test the seat belts to ensure they retract properly.
• Professional inspection: Have a professional inspect the seat belts regularly.
• Replacement: Replace damaged or worn seat belts.