A 45-year-old Active Guard/Reserve Sergeant First Class assigned to the Army National Guard, Camp Dodge, Iowa, died from injuries sustained in a PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 22 May 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa, at 1615 local. The Soldier was running eastbound when he was struck by a vehicle. The driver stopped and called emergency services. The Soldier sustained several critical injuries and was transported to the local hospital in critical condition. He had multiple surgeries to control internal bleeding and pressure on his brain. He was removed from life support and died 4 June 2023.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of six Soldiers a year to PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This mishap was the fifth PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatality of FY23.

Safety tip
At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries and fatalities remain high. In 2020, 6,516 pedestrians were killed and an estimated 55,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) raises awareness of the dangers to pedestrians and provides tips to keep them safe.

Know the Basics — Pedestrian Safety

Safety tips for drivers

1. Look out for pedestrians everywhere, always.
2. Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.
3. Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
4. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.
5. Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see.
6. Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
7. Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present.
8. Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians.

Walking safety tips

1. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
2. Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
3. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
4. Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
5. If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
6. Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots.
7. Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
8. Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation — get up, get out and get moving.

Tips provided by NHTSA

In the spotlight – The 2023 Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation provides additional information to include videos, statistics and risk mitigation measures in preventing pedestrian mishaps. Visit https://safety.army.mil/ODSAP for more information.
 

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