A 20-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Drum, New York, died in an automobile mishap near Orleans, New York, at local. The Soldier was a passenger in a privately owned vehicle that left a gravel roadway and struck a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Additional information is currently unavailable.
Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the first automobile fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.
Safety Tips
When driving on gravel roads, reduce your speed, avoid sudden movements and increase your following distance due to reduced traction and visibility.
- Reduce Speed: This is the most important rule. Drive significantly slower than on paved roads, especially on curves, hills and intersections. Lower speeds make cornering safer and reduce braking distances, as stopping takes longer on a loose surface.
- Drive Smoothly: Avoid sudden acceleration, hard braking, or sharp turns, as these can easily cause a skid or loss of control. Gentle, gradual inputs on the steering wheel, accelerator and brakes are key.
- Increase Following Distance: Maintain at least a six-second gap behind the vehicle in front of you. This provides more time to react to hazards and minimizes damage from dust clouds and flying rocks.
- Manage Dust: Use your headlights at all times so other drivers can see you. If visibility is obscured by dust from an oncoming or leading vehicle, slow down and be prepared to stop. The rule is if you can't see, don't go.
- Reacting to Skids: If you begin to skid, remain calm. Ease your foot off the accelerator (or brakes if you were braking), look where you want to go and gently steer in that direction. Avoid overcorrecting, as this is a common cause of mishaps and rollovers.