Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 25-year-old Sergeant assigned to U.S. Army Reserve Center, Tustin, California, died in an automobile mishap 16 June 2026 in Fontana, California, at 1653 local. The Soldier was on active-duty orders when his vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer. The California Highway Patrol and emergency medical services responded to the scene, where the Soldier was pronounced dead. Speed, alcohol or drug involvement are currently unknown. 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 24th automobile fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.  

A 23-year-old Specialist assigned to Camp Mackall, North Carolina, died following a Combat Skills/Military Unique mishap 11 June 2026 at 1654 local. The Soldier was found unresponsive while participating in a land navigation exercise. He was evaluated by cadre and a special forces medical sergeant before being transported to the troop medical center. He was subsequently transported to a local hospital for advanced treatment for a heat illness, where he remained unresponsive and died 20 June 2026. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of three Soldiers a year to Combat Skills/Military Unique mishaps. This mishap was the third Combat Skills/Military Unique fatality of FY26 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.  

Safety Tips

• Ensure you follow the T2COM Heat Illness Prevention Program 2026 guidance for all training events. Check it out at https://carepoint.health.mil/sites/APH/webinars/ExternalTraining/20260212_T2COM%20Heat%20Illness%20Prevention%20Info%20Paper%202026_vF.pdf.
• Monitor the wet bulb globe temperature and adjust activities as needed.
• Remember that heat effects are cumulative. Exposure over multiple days increases the risk of heat illness, so avoid back-to-back strenuous days, especially in Heat Categories 4 and 5.
• Ensure all personnel are trained on prevention, recognition and basic treatment of heat illnesses.
• Monitor hydration. Individuals should consume 1 quart/hour under most training conditions or a maximum of 1.5 quarts/hour under very strenuous conditions. Avoid excessive hydration.
• Soldiers with a previous heat illness and/or poor fitness levels should be monitored closely.

For additional information, visit the Defense Health Agency’s website at https://ph.health.mil/topics/discond/hipss/Pages/Heat-Illness-Resources.aspx.

A 23-year-old Sergeant assigned to Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy, died in a motorcycle mishap 10 June 2026 in Gila Bend, Arizona, at 0600 local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle while on leave when he was struck by a passenger car. The Arizona Department of Public Safety responded to the scene and transported him to a local hospital, where he died. The Soldier was reportedly wearing all required personal protective equipment. 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 15th motorcycle fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.  

Safety Tips

Riders must actively manage their space and visibility in traffic.

• Defensive Riding over PPE – Do not rely solely on PPE. While required gear protects your body during an impact, it does not prevent the collision itself. Active hazard avoidance is your primary shield.
• Visibility Enhancement – Maximize your visual presence. Use high-visibility/reflective gear and keep headlights on, especially during transition hours like dawn and dusk, when lighting is poor.
• The Invisibility Mindset – Assume drivers cannot see you. Position yourself in lanes to maximize your line of sight and avoid lingering in blind spots.
• Intersection Proactivity – Scan intersections aggressively. Most multi-vehicle motorcycle mishaps occur when a passenger vehicle turns into or violates a rider's right-of-way.
• Space & Fatigue Management – Always maintain an escape route and safe following distance. Be highly alert to the fact that early morning drivers may be fatigued or distracted.

A 21-year-old Specialist, a 20-year-old Private First Class, and a 19-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in an automobile mishap 13 June 2026 in Apex, North Carolina, at 0020 local. According to law enforcement, four Soldiers were riding in a single-passenger vehicle that left the roadway at approximately 100 mph and rolled multiple times. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to the scene, where three Soldiers were pronounced dead. The fourth Soldier was transported to a local hospital and is recovering from surgery. Two of the three Soldiers who died were reportedly not wearing seat belts. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. These were the 21st, 22nd and 23rd off-duty automobile fatalities of FY26 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year.      

Safety Tips

Avoid the following driving behaviors:

Speeding

• Increases the potential to lose control of the vehicle.
• Increases the required stopping distance when danger is perceived.
• Reduces the effectiveness of seat belts and airbags.
• Increases the severity of injuries in a crash.

Not Wearing a Seat Belt

• Increases the risk of being totally ejected from the vehicle, which is almost always deadly.
• Airbags are designed to work with seat belts. Without a seat belt, an airbag can seriously injure or kill you.

For more information on motor vehicle safety, check out the Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation (ODSAP) at https://safety.army.mil/ODSAP.

A Specialist assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, died in a Government Motor Vehicle (GMV) mishap 10 June 2026 at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, at 0430 local. During a training rotation, the Soldier and his platoon were emplacing an obstacle in preparation for an upcoming force-on-force engagement when a Bradley Fighting Vehicle entered the area and struck him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of five Soldiers a year to on-duty GMV mishaps. This mishap was the fourth on-duty GMV fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.