Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A Specialist assigned to Whiteman Armory, Missouri, died in a PMV-2 mishap 6 November 2020 in Springfield, Missouri, at 0330 local. At this time, it is unknown if the Soldier was the operator or passenger. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including speed, use of personal protective equipment, completion of required Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses, and alcohol or drugs as contributing factors are currently unknown. The safety point of contact is waiting for local authorities to release additional information.

Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 27 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap is the sixth off-duty PMV-2 fatality of FY21 and above the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

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A Staff Sergeant assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died in a PMV-4 mishap 6 November 2020 in Fountain, Colorado, at 1600 local. The Soldier was driving his private motor vehicle with a Soldier as a passenger when he lost control and collided with three other vehicles, causing his vehicle to roll several times before coming to a stop in the southbound lane. Company leadership arrived at the scene, where the local police confirmed the Soldier’s death. The passenger suffered a broken back and ribs. Alcohol use is not a contributing factor at this time and both Soldiers were reportedly wearing seat belts. This mishap is under investigation.

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

How to be a better passenger:

-Share the responsibilities
Making yourself useful – whether you offer to operate the GPS or act as another set of eyes for the driver – can help avoid any accidents that would have happened due to distraction or driver fatigue. Keeping watch for any diversions and reading road signs will also help the driver to focus on the task at hand.

-Banish backseat driving
Keeping a watchful eye for things the driver might miss is helpful; criticizing every move the driver makes could be harmful. If the driver gets frustrated or annoyed, the likelihood is they’ll pay less attention to the road, which could lead to an easily avoidable accident.

-Seat belts
Drilled into us since childhood, this one should be obvious but is worth repeating: wear your seat belt. It's the driver's legal responsibility to make sure passengers are properly belted.

Speeding is more than just breaking the law. The consequences are far-ranging:
1. Greater potential for loss of vehicle control;
2. Reduced effectiveness of occupant protection equipment;
3. Increased stopping distance after the driver perceives a danger;
4. Increased degree of crash severity leading to more severe injuries;
5. Economic implications of a speed-related crash; and increased fuel consumption/cost.

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A Captain, Chief Warrant Officer 3, Chief Warrant Officer 2, Staff Sergeant and Sergeant, all assigned to Task Force Sinai, Multinational Force and Observers, along with two additional Partner Nation's personnel were fatality injured in an aviation mishap on 12 November 2020 on Tiran Island, Saudi Arabia, off the coast of South Sinai, Egypt, at approximately 1057 local. The Soldiers were on a resupply mission at the time of the mishap. A fifth crewmember, a Staff Sergeant, onboard the aircraft was injured and medically evacuated to a hospital, where he is awaiting surgery. The USACRC is leading a safety investigation into the mishap.

Since FY16, the Army has had an average of eight Class A aviation flight mishaps and lost an average of seven Soldiers per year to on-duty aviation mishaps. This was the first Class A aviation mishap of FY21 and below the number of similar mishaps during the same time period last year.

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A Sergeant assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia, died in a PMV-4 mishap 11 November 2020 in Phenix City, Alabama, at 1800 local. Military police were notified by a third party of an undetermined manner of death involving a two-vehicle accident. The unit contacted the Phenix City Police Department, which confirmed a fatal traffic accident involving a Soldier. The Soldier was pronounced dead at the scene. The Soldier’s wife was also involved in the accident and remains in stable condition at a local hospital, where she is in a medically induced coma following surgery. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including speed, seat belt use, alcohol or drugs, are unknown at this time. The mishap is under investigation.

Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 33 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap is the fifth PMV-4 fatality of FY21.

-Never drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

-Avoid distractions while operating a vehicle.

-Your focus should be on the task of driving safely.

-Pay attention to your surroundings, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area you’re driving.

-Focus as far to your front as possible, using peripheral vision to scan for obstacles.

-Maintain the posted speed limit.

-Always wear your seat belt and ensure passengers do the same.

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A Specialist assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, died in a PMV-4 mishap 8 November 2020 in Oahu, Hawaii, at 0050 local. The Soldier was traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a utility pole, coming to rest against a tree. No other vehicles were involved. He and the Soldier riding as a passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. Local law enforcement reported that speed was an apparent factor. It is currently unknown if seat belts were worn or if drugs or alcohol were also factors.

Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 33 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the third PMV-4 mishap of the year and resulted in the third and fourth fatalities of FY21.

For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. In 2017, speeding was a contributing factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities.

Speed also affects your safety even when you are driving at the speed limit but too fast for road conditions, such as during bad weather, when a road is under repair or in an area at night that isn’t well lit.

Speeding is more than just breaking the law. The consequences are far-ranging, including:

-Greater potential for loss of vehicle control.

-Reduced effectiveness of occupant protection equipment.

-Increased stopping distance after the driver perceives a danger.

-Increased degree of crash severity leading to more severe injuries.

-Economic implications of a speed-related crash.

-Increased fuel consumption/cost.

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