Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

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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A Sergeant assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in an PMV-2 mishap 7 November 2020 at 1500 local. The Soldier lost control of his motorcycle on a highway when he was sideswiped by a van attempting to change lanes. He was declared dead at the local university hospital. The Soldier was wearing all required personal protective equipment; however, he did not complete any of the mandatory Motorcycle Safety Foundation training courses. Alcohol is not suspected as a contributing factor to the mishap.

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

-Motorcycles have use of the complete traffic lane. Do not share lanes with motorcycles.

-Failure to yield the right-of-way to a motorcyclist is the most frequent driver error in collisions involving a motorcycle and another vehicle.

-Often drivers do not see motorcyclists until it is too late. This is why it is important for drivers to continually scan the roadway in front, to the rear and to the sides.

-Motorcycles accelerate, turn and stop more quickly than other vehicles. Bad weather, rough road surfaces or inexperience may cause a motorcyclist to fall. All of these are reasons why you should increase your following distance to four seconds or more when behind motorcycles.

-What will stop or prevent the occurrence of accidents is more rigorous and advanced motorcycle training.

-Training can make riders vigilant and develop presence of mind while on the road. It will also promote safe and defensive riding habits, proactive behaviors and visual alertness.

-Quality motorcycle training gives the riders an understanding and observance of road and traffic rules, as well as a healthy road disposition.

-Invest in a top-quality helmet to efficiently protect the most critical part of your body.

-More importance should be given to developing skill in motorcycle operating proficiency through training that will ensure the rider’s continued safety on the road.

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