Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

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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A Sergeant First Class assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in an off-duty PMV-2 mishap 31 October 2020 in Clarksville, Tennessee, at 1450 local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle with a civilian passenger when a tire detached from another vehicle and struck him. The Soldier and passenger were transported to a local health care center via Life Flight, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The passenger’s current status is unknown. The Soldier was wearing all required personal protective equipment and completed all mandatory Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses. Speed and alcohol and drug use are unknown at this time.

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

-Road hazards are a common cause of motorcycle accidents. Things that have little effect on a car, such as debris, uneven road surfaces, small objects or wet pavement, can cause a motorcycle to crash. Motorcyclists should understand what constitutes a hazard, be alert for such dangers and take precautions to avoid them.

-Debris or objects in the road, such as parts of tire treads, items fallen from trucks (furniture, tools, boxes), branches or rocks, are more hazardous to motorcycles than cars. Not only can they cause a crash, but the object itself can hit and seriously harm the rider.

-When you are riding your motorcycle, always remain vigilant. Anticipate that motorists, road debris and flying objects will come at you because they do! Keep your eyes and your ears open and expect the worst so you can prevent it.

-Do not tailgate trucks or trailers hauling materials, and always keep enough room to avoid debris and obstacles on the road.

-Do not ride directly next to vehicles, and try to keep a 2 to 3 second distance between you and any cars in front of you.

-If you see debris or something flying at you, do not panic! Try to calmly process what is happening and take evasive maneuvers. If you panic, you may overreact and crash your motorcycle instead of maneuvering around the hazard calmly.

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A Staff Sergeant assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died in a PMV-2 mishap 22 October 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 1502 local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle when he collided with a vehicle that made a left turn into his lane. Emergency medical technicians arrived on scene to provide assistance and pronounced the Soldier dead. The Soldier had completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic RiderCourse and was wearing personal protective equipment. Speed, alcohol and drug use are unknown at this time. This mishap is under investigation.

Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 27 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This is the fourth 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.

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A Chief Warrant Officer 2 assigned to U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Republic of Korea, and TDY to Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia, died in an off-duty water-related mishap 18 October 2020 on Tybee Island, Georgia, at 1510 local. After eating lunch on the beach, the Soldier walked out to a sandbar until he was waist deep in the water. His friends lost sight of the Soldier and notified a lifeguard, who began searching. At approximately 1700, the lifeguard found the Soldier unresponsive in the water. The county coroner pronounced the Soldier dead at 1829. No alcohol use was reported; however, Tybee Island had red beach flags posted, indicating high-hazard conditions.

Since FY16, the Army has lost an average of eight Soldiers a year to off-duty water-related mishaps. This tragedy was the first fatal off-duty water-related mishap of FY21 and below the number of off-duty water-related fatalities from this time last year.

Safety tips for swimming at the beach:
- Never swim alone and, when possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach.
- Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.
- Make sure you understand the significance of warning flags and understand that the absence of red flags does not assure safe conditions.
- When swimming at an unguarded beach, be cautious at all times. If in doubt, don’t go out!
- When caught in a rip current, remain calm to think clearly and conserve your energy:
* Don’t fight a rip current. If you are unable to swim out of it, float or tread water calmly. Then swim parallel to the shoreline.
* When certain you are out of the current, swim toward shore.
* If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself: face the shore, wave your arms and yell for help.

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