A 21-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in a motorcycle mishap 27 June 2026 in El Paso, Texas, at 0100 local. The Soldier’s motorcycle struck a wall adjacent to the roadway. The El Paso Police Department and emergency medical services responded to the scene, where the Soldier was pronounced dead. The use of personal protective equipment, training, speed, and the involvement of alcohol or drugs are currently unknown. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 31 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the 17th motorcycle fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Riding at night presents several challenges:

• Reduced Visibility: Road hazards, debris and curves are much harder to spot. Ensure your headlight is clean and properly aligned.
• Outriding the Headlights: At night, reduce your speed so that your total stopping distance is always within the path illuminated by your motorcycle's headlight.
• Fatigue: Avoid riding between 2400 and 0600, when the body's natural circadian rhythm causes peak drowsiness.
• Fixed-Object Crash Avoidance and Cornering: Single-vehicle crashes involving fixed objects account for roughly 35% of motorcycle fatalities.
• Avoid Target Fixation: In a panic or sharp turn, riders tend to stare directly at the hazard. This is called target fixation. You will go where you look. Riders must train themselves to look through the turn, focusing on the safe path of travel rather than the obstacle.
• Speed Management: Speeding is a factor in over 36% of fatal motorcycle crashes. Reduce speed before entering curves, ensuring your entry speed allows for mid-corner adjustments.