Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A Sergeant assigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky, died in a PMV-4 mishap 16 August 2020 in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, 1930 local. The Soldier was traveling on the Bluegrass Parkway when he attempted to make a U-turn and was struck by an oncoming vehicle. The Soldier’s use of seat belt has not been verified. Speed and alcohol use are unknown at this time. The mishap is under investigation.

Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 34 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap is the 26th PMV-4 fatality of FY20 and is below the number of similar fatalities during the same time period last year. Only make a legal U-turn if there is an unobstructed view of oncoming traffic. Speed limit, visibility, and the amount of space available to turn around are all factors you must consider before turning around in traffic. Sometimes, proceeding to the next exit, exiting and reentering the highway is your best choice.

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A Specialist assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, died in an off-duty water-related mishap 15 August 2020 at a lake in the Rainier National Park in Ashford, Washington, at 1900 local. The Soldier was swimming with a group of fellow Soldiers and friends. They tried swimming across the lake and upon the return swim, the Soldier started having trouble swimming. A friend tried swimming out to the Soldier but was unable to reach him before struggling himself. The Soldier was unable to reach the shoreline, went under the water, and did not resurface. Another Soldier notified local authorities. The National Park Rangers responded, established an incident command, and notified the county dive team. Dive teams did not initiate the search until the next morning due to the difficult terrain on the approach to the lake. The National Park Service confirmed recovery of the Soldier’s body a couple of days later. The Soldier’s body was positively identified by fellow Soldiers from the unit. It was reported that alcohol was not involved. The mishap is under investigation.

Since FY16, the Army has lost an average of eight Soldiers a year to off-duty water-related mishaps. This tragedy was the ninth fatal off-duty water-related mishap of FY20 and below the number of off-duty water-related fatalities from this time last year. Swimming in open water (lakes, rivers, ponds, and the ocean) is more difficult than in a pool. People tire faster and get into trouble more quickly. A person can go under water in a murky lake, making them very hard to find, or be swept away in currents.

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A Master Sergeant assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died in a PMV-2 mishap 16 August 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 0030 local. The Soldier was riding his motorcycle on the wrong side of the road, with his wife as a passenger, when he collided with an oncoming vehicle. Both the Soldier and his wife were pronounced dead at the scene. Motorcycle Safety Foundation training and the use of personal protective equipment is unknown at this time. Alcohol was suspected as a factor. This mishap is under investigation.

Since FY16, the Army has lost an average of 28 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This was the sixteenth fatal off-duty PMV-2 mishap of FY20 and below the number of PMV-2 fatalities from this time last year.

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A 36-year-old Active Guard and Reserve Sergeant assigned to the Texas Army National Guard, died during a training event conducted on 13 August 2020 at Fort Hood, Texas, at 1645 local. The Soldier was attending the 136th Regional Training Institute 11B Advanced Leader Course and participating in a Land Navigation Course Evaluation. The course began at 0530 and scheduled to end at 1030. The Soldier failed to return to the start point and a search was initiated. The search began with cadre, then with range control. At 1300, local law enforcement was notified and the Soldier was found approximately four hours later. The Soldier was transported to the nearest medical facility and pronounced dead. The cause of the Soldier’s death is unknown at this time. Weather conditions at Fort Hood at the time of the mishap were extremely hot with a high of 100 degrees and 33% humidity. This mishap is under investigation.

This is the first fatality that has occurred on a land navigation course since FY18. Ensure your risk assessment for a Land Navigation Course Evaluation addresses the hazards of exposure to hot weather and Soldiers getting lost on the course. The Joint Risk Assessment Tool (JRAT) provides potential control measures to address these hazards along with many others. This can be found at https://jrat.safety.army.mil

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A Specialist assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, died in a PMV-4 pedestrian mishap 12 August 2020 in Killeen, Texas, at 2150 local. The Soldier was traveling with two other Soldiers in a private motor vehicle on a multi-lane highway when they saw a serious automobile accident. The Soldiers stopped to render assistance. One Soldier attempted to direct traffic on an unlit, curved highway with vehicles traveling at high rates of speed, when he was struck by a vehicle. Local emergency management services and fire department personnel responded to the accident and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. Alcohol use was not reported as a factor. The mishap is under investigation.

Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to pedestrian/non-motorist mishaps. This mishap is the second pedestrian/non-motorist fatality of FY20 and the same number of similar fatalities during the same time period last year.

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