Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A Sergeant First Class assigned to the United State Army Reserve, Denver, Colorado, on active duty for operational support (ADOS) orders in support of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR), 59th Presidential Inauguration, died in a PMV-4 mishap 4 February 2021 in Clay County, Indiana, at 1725 local. The Soldier departed his duty location (JTF-NCR) on official leave and was driving through Indiana to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for his next ADOS assignment. His vehicle hit a semi-truck, resulting in a rollover. Initial reports suggest the Soldier’s speed at the time of the mishap was 80 mph. He was wearing his seat belt and was reportedly not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The Soldier suffered multiple injuries and was transported to the local regional hospital before later being transferred to another medical center for higher-level care. Six days later, the attending physician determined the Soldier to be brain dead and was pronounced dead shortly after.

Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 34 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 15th PMV-4 fatality of FY21 and above the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

• The Travel Risk Planning System (TRiPS), although no longer required, is an excellent tool to assist in planning your trip. For more information on TRiPS, use the following link: https://trips.safety.army.mil/TRiPS

• Build time into your trip schedule to stop for food, rest breaks, phone calls or other business.

• Pull over to eat or drink. It takes only a few minutes.

• Check your route of travel for weather conditions and road construction and plan alternate routes should you need to get off a heavily congested roadway.

• Technology can be an asset if used wisely. Whether you use traditional road maps or GPS navigation, plan which route you’ll take ahead of time. As you plan ahead, you can research the traffic levels of these roads so you can drive safer.

• If you use GPS, your navigation system may even be able to tell you which roads are under construction. When you avoid driving through construction sites, you greatly reduce your risk of accidents and injury.

• If possible, avoid driving at night. Driving conditions are more hazardous at night. Nocturnal animals could wander onto the road or a speeding driver may hit an obstacle and cause an accident.

• Before your trip, look into hotels along your route so you don’t have to make too big of a detour. Additionally, booking a hotel in advance can make stopping at night much easier.

• If your trip is a long one, switch between drivers. Staring at the open road for hours on end can make you drowsy. To avoid falling asleep behind the wheel, switch between drivers every few hours if possible. If you’re driving alone, stop at a rest stop or gas station every couple of hours to stretch your legs and take a break.

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A Chief Warrant Officer 4 and two Chief Warrant Officer 3s assigned to the Idaho Army National Guard, Boise, Idaho, died in an aviation mishap 2 February 2021 near Boise. Shortly after 2000 local, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center contacted the Idaho Guard to say it had received an active emergency locator transmitter signal from the aircraft. Search and rescue was initiated and the crash site was located approximately four hours later in mountainous, snow-covered terrain, at an elevation of 5,180 feet. The cause of the mishap is under investigation by the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center.

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 fourth Class A aviation mishap of FY21 and equal to the number of similar mishaps during the same time period last year.

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A Chief Warrant Officer 5, Chief Warrant Officer 4, and Chief Warrant Officer 2, assigned to the New York Army National Guard, Rochester, New York, died in an aviation mishap on 20 January 2021 in Mendon, New York, at approximately 1830 EST. The aircraft was conducting an Annual Proficiency and Readiness Test (APART) and Readiness Level (RL) progression flight from AASF #2 in Rochester, when it departed controlled flight and impacted terrain, fatally injuring all three aircrew members. The U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center 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 third 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 Specialist assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in a pedestrian mishap 17 January 2021 in El Paso, Texas, at 0134 local. The Soldier was hit by a civilian vehicle while crossing the street near an intersection. He was transported to the local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Alcohol use and other factors are pending the results of the ongoing investigation.

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


Pedestrian Safety Tips:

1. Cross streets at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks where available.

2. Always look left, right and left again before crossing a street, and keep watching as you cross. Be aware that drivers have differing levels of eyesight and skill in operating motor vehicles.

3. Pedestrians should be especially careful at intersections, where drivers may fail to yield the right-of-way while turning onto another street.

4. Make sure you are seen:

- Make eye contact with drivers when crossing busy streets.
- Wear bright colors or reflective clothing if you are walking near traffic at night.
- Carry a flashlight when walking in the dark.

5. Walk on the sidewalk whenever possible.

- If sidewalks are not available, walk facing traffic on the edge of the road, as far from the travel lane as possible.
- Walk defensively and be ready for unexpected events. Know what’s going on around you and don’t allow your vision to be blocked by clothing, hats or items you are carrying.
- Watch the pedestrian signals, not the traffic signal, and follow the “WALK/DON’T WALK” lights. Look for pedestrian push buttons for crossing protection at signalized intersections.
- Watch out for parked vehicles. Parking lots can be as dangerous as streets.

6. Avoid alcohol and drugs, as they can impair your ability to walk safely.

7. When crossing, use all of your senses and don’t use your cellphone for calls and texting.

8. Use particular caution when crossing driveways and alley entrances. Drivers may not expect you to be there or see you.

9. Adults should supervise children when crossing streets. Smaller children may be difficult for drivers to see and young children may not be able to judge whether it is safe to cross a street.

Motorists need to be vigilant of pedestrians and pedestrians need to be vigilant of motorists. Although motorists have more responsibility under the law when operating a motor vehicle on city streets, pedestrians have more at stake.

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A Sergeant First Class assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in a PMV-2 mishap 16 January 2021 in El Paso, Texas, at 1435 local. The Soldier was operating his sport bike in a roundabout when he hit a curb and lost control. The motorcycle struck a sand berm, then another curb before the Soldier was ejected from the bike. He was transported to the local hospital where he was pronounced dead by the local medical examiner. Speed is reportedly a contributing factor. The Soldier had completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic RiderCourse and was wearing personal protective equipment. The mishap is under investigation.

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

Roundabouts are becoming more and more common on American roads, but sometimes even the most seasoned driver can get confused when faced with one of these enigmatic traffic circles. Who gives way to whom? Which direction do you signal? How on earth do you navigate roundabouts with multiple lanes?

Slow on approach
One of the advantages of a roundabout is that it does not stop traffic like a stop sign or a red light would. If a roundabout is empty, you do not have to stop before entering. However, that does mean that you must exercise extra caution on approach and make sure it is completely safe before entering. Slow down when you are approaching a roundabout, and if the way is clear, then you can proceed.

Give way to the person who is already on the roundabout
The first and most important rule of a roundabout is that you give way to vehicles that are already occupying it. Just as you would when entering a regular road, you must wait until there is sufficient space to enter the roundabout.

Give way to the left
When two or more vehicles approach a roundabout at the same time, you must then give way to the vehicle to the left. Otherwise it is first come, first served.

Signal your intent
One of the most common mistakes people use on roundabouts is signaling incorrectly or not at all. When used properly, indicators can be an excellent way to increase safety and convenience on a roundabout by letting those around you know your intentions. A good rule of thumb is to always signal immediately before your exit, using your right indicator, just as you would when turning. Correct indication on a roundabout goes as follows:
–When turning right (first exit), signal right as with a normal right turn.
–When going straight ahead, no signal upon entering, signal as you approach your exit.
–When turning left (last exit/three-quarters around), signal left upon entering, switch to right as you come to the exit.

When there are two lanes:
Just when you think that you’ve mastered the roundabout, along comes one with two lanes circling around it. Dealing with two lanes can be intimidating, but the reality is that it is not all that different from a regular, smaller roundabout. Often there will be a sign indicating which lane you should take, but if not, here are some guidelines:
–If you are turning right (first exit), take the outside lane.
–If you are going straight or the second exit, take the outside lane
–If you are taking a further exit, take the innermost lane and move over prior to your exit, after the first or second exit.

Proceed with extra caution if the roundabout has curbed edges so that you do run your vehicle over the curb. This could result in causing your vehicle to swerve back into the traffic already in the roundabout.

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