A Specialist assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died 3 July 2021 from injuries sustained in a PMV-2 mishap that occurred on 24 June 2021, at approximately 2030 local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle, when he reportedly lost control while negotiating a curve, suffering a broken neck. He was air lifted to the local hospital and underwent surgery to reduce brain swelling. The Soldier’s family made the decision to remove him from life support and he died shortly after. Initial reports indicate that alcohol and drugs were not involved and speed as a contributing factor is unknown at this time. The Soldier was wearing all of the required personal protective equipment and completed the mandatory Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic RiderCourse courses.
The Soldier was an active participant in the Battalion and Brigade Motorcycle Mentorship Program and had recently completed a check ride on 20 May 2021. He had a documented T-CLOCS inspection of his motorcycle, dated 27 May 2021.
Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 27 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap is the 15th off-duty PMV-2 fatality of FY21.
Many motorcycle riders are seriously injured and die each year when they fail to negotiate turns or curves, and either end up in the opposing lane of traffic, or lose control and crash.
What is one of the main reasons motorcycle riders fail to negotiate curves or turns? Excessive speed or going too fast for road conditions.
If you ride too fast through a curve or turn, chances are you are going to either end up in the opposing lane, or you are going to crash.
What is the safest way to avoid crashing on a curve or turn? Slow down!
When approaching a curve, choose a speed and lean angle that allow you to pass through the curve in your own lane without applying the brakes. Excessive speed, improper lean angle or braking in a curve can cause loss of control. Ground clearance is reduced when the motorcycle leans. Do not allow components to contact the road surface when leaning the motorcycle in a curve, as this could cause loss of control.
Check out the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center’s website for Defense Safety Oversight Council Motorcycle Mentorship Module 24 - Cornering: Proper Speed and Lane Position: https://safety.army.mil/Portals/0/Documents/OFF-DUTY/PMV-2/MMP/DSOCMENTORSHIPMODULES/Standard/24_Cornering-Proper_Speed_and_Lane_Position_09-12_Rev.pdf