A 48-year-old Active Guard Reserve Sergeant First Class assigned to the Army National Guard, Franklin, Indiana, died in a PMV-4 mishap in Scottsburg, Indiana, at local. The Soldier was reportedly traveling south when he lost control of his vehicle, crossed into the northbound lanes and struck a tree. Indiana State Police (ISP) responded after receiving a notification of impact from the Soldier’s personal electronics. The Soldier was transported to the local memorial hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival by the attending physician. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including use of seat belt, speed or alcohol, is currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for ISP to release its final report.
Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the sixth fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.
Safety tip
Nationwide, 52 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths in since occurred in single-vehicle crashes.
Road crashes are the leading cause of death in the country, resulting in more than 38,000 people losing their lives each year.
Safey Tips in the event your vehicle loses control:
- Reduce your speed. Slow down if you see something unusual or hazardous ahead of you. Reducing your speed lowers the energy of the car and increases your control.
- Don't panic. Avoid panic and stay calm.
- Keep your hands on the wheel. Do not let go of the wheel and try regaining control of the vehicle by having your hands on the steering wheel.
- Don't slam on the brakes. Gradually press your brake pedal down continuously to prevent losing control even further.
- Keep your eyes open. Do not close their eyes; keep your focus on the road to help see a possible opportunity to regain control of your vehicle and to see where you are going.
- Steer into the skid. Whether hydroplaning on water or skidding on ice or gravel, it's usually a good idea to steer into the skid. That is, steer in the direction that the back of your vehicle is trying to go. In most cases, this is the best way to regain control of your vehicle.