Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

An 18-year-old Private Second Class assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, Louisiana, died in an automobile mishap 31 January 2026 in Denham Springs, Louisiana, at 0014  local. The Soldier’s vehicle collided with a truck on the highway and rolled into a ditch. Emergency services were called, and the Soldier was pronounced dead at the scene. Seat belt use, speed, and the potential involvement of alcohol or drugs are unknown. Additional information is currently unavailable. 

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to off-duty automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 10th off-duty automobile fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Making a left turn across highway traffic is one of the most dangerous maneuvers a driver can perform, requiring precise judgment of speed and distance. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 36 percent of all crashes occur at intersections, with left turns being a major contributing factor. This highlights the critical need for extreme caution and defensive driving techniques when entering or crossing high-speed roadways. Here are some essential safety tips to prevent a collision when turning left onto a highway:

• Look Left, Right, Then Left Again: Before pulling out, scan for traffic by looking left, then right, and then one final time to the left. The final look confirms that the closest lane is clear at the exact moment you intend to move. Traffic on a high-speed road can close the distance incredibly fast.
• Judge Gaps for Trucks and Motorcycles Differently: Never assume you can pull out in front of a large truck. Trucks appear to be moving slower than they are and require a much longer distance to stop. Conversely, motorcycles are smaller and their speed can also be deceptive, so give them a wide berth.
• Demand a Larger Gap Than You Think You Need: When turning onto a highway with a speed limit of 55 mph or higher, you need a significant gap in traffic. If you have any doubt whether you can make the turn safely, wait for the next gap. A few seconds of patience can prevent a fatal decision.
• Keep Your Wheels Straight While Waiting: While waiting at the stop line to make your turn, keep your steering wheel pointed straight ahead. If you are struck from behind, this will prevent your vehicle from being pushed into the path of oncoming traffic.
• Avoid "Creeping" and Commit to Your Turn: Do not slowly inch your way into the intersection. Wait for a confirmed, safe gap and then accelerate briskly and deliberately through the turn to get up to the speed of traffic as quickly and safely as possible.
• Ensure Zero Distractions Before Turning: This critical maneuver requires your complete and undivided attention. Put away your phone, pause conversations and lower the radio volume. Your focus must be entirely on the traffic environment outside your vehicle.

A 35-year-old Specialist assigned to Defense Language Institute, Presidio, California, died in an off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishap 22 November 2025 in Granite Creek at Garrapata State Park at 1500 local. The Soldier was swept into the Pacific Ocean by a large wave and did not resurface. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office responded promptly and initiated a multi-agency search-and-rescue operation. The Soldier has not been found. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of eight Soldiers a year to off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishaps. This mishap was the second off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training fatality of FY26 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year. This was also the first off-duty water-related fatality of FY26.

Safety Tips

Coastal environments are dynamic and can present unforeseen dangers to even the most experienced individuals. According to the U.S. Lifesaving Association, rip currents are the No. 1 hazard at surf beaches, leading to over 100 drownings annually in the United States. Understanding the power of the ocean and how to react to its hazards is a critical lifesaving skill. Here are some essential safety tips to prevent being swept into the ocean by large waves or strong currents:

• Swim in Designated Areas: Always choose beaches with lifeguards on duty and swim in marked swimming zones. This ensures you are in a safer environment where help is readily available if needed.
• Be Aware of Ocean Conditions: Before entering the water, check the local surf forecast and be mindful of changing tides, currents and wave conditions. Strong currents and rip tides can pose significant dangers.
• Know Your Swimming Abilities: Be realistic about your swimming skills. If you are not a strong swimmer, avoid deep water and strong currents. Always swim with a buddy, even in lifeguarded areas.
• Understand Rip Currents: Learn how to identify rip currents and what to do if caught in one. If you find yourself in a rip current, stay calm and swim parallel to the shore until you are free from the current, then swim back to the beach at an angle.
• Avoid Alcohol: Do not consume alcohol before or while swimming, as it can impair your judgment and physical abilities, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Enter the Water Safely: Always enter the water feet first, especially in unfamiliar areas. Avoid diving into shallow waters or from heights.
• Stay Informed about Marine Life: Be aware of the local marine life and any potential hazards, such as jellyfish or sharp rocks. Most marine life is harmless, but it's good to be informed.

A 22-year-old Specialist assigned to U.S. Army Reserve Center, Orangeburg, New Jersey, died in an automobile mishap 11 January 2026 in Alpine, New Jersey, at 0600 local. The Soldier, who was on active orders but off duty at the time of the mishap, sustained fatal injuries when his vehicle veered off the highway during low-visibility conditions and crashed. Emergency responders, including the Alpine Police Department and Emergency Medical Services, pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. Personal protective equipment use, speed, and the potential involvement of alcohol or drugs are unknown at this time. 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 ninth automobile fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year. 

Safety Tips

Driving in low-visibility conditions, whether from darkness, fog or heavy rain, dramatically increases the risk of a catastrophic roadway departure. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates for 2023, there were 40,990 traffic fatalities. Crashes during nighttime hours accounted for a significant portion of these tragedies. Every driver must adapt their techniques to account for the reduced reaction time and perception that these conditions create. Here are some essential safety tips to prevent a crash when driving in a low-visibility environment:

• Reduce Speed and Drive to Conditions: Your first and most critical adjustment should be to slow down. Posted speed limits are for ideal conditions. In fog, heavy rain or darkness, reduce your speed significantly to give yourself more time to perceive and react to hazards.
• Maximize Your Field of Vision: Use your low-beam headlights in fog or heavy rain, as high beams will reflect off the precipitation and worsen your visibility. Ensure your windshield and headlights are clean to provide the clearest possible view.
• Focus on Lane Discipline: Pay close attention to lane markings and use the right edge line as a guide if needed — rather than focusing on the centerline — to avoid drifting into oncoming traffic. Make all steering, braking and accelerating inputs smoothly and gradually to maintain control.
• Eliminate all Distractions and Stay Alert: Your full attention is required in low-visibility situations. Put away all electronic devices, avoid complex conversations and actively scan the roadway ahead for unseen obstacles, stopped vehicles or animals.
• Never Drive Impaired or Fatigued: Alcohol, drugs and fatigue all severely degrade a driver's perception and reaction time. These effects are amplified in low-visibility conditions. Before getting behind the wheel, ensure you are well-rested and completely sober.

A 52-year-old Colonel assigned to Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, died in an automobile mishap 12 December 2025 near Naples, Florida, at 0015 local. Heavy smoke obscuring the interstate caused a semi-truck to stop in the left lane, triggering a seven-vehicle pileup. The Soldier, who was traveling with his family, sustained fatal injuries in the collision. Additional information is currently available.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the eighth automobile fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Driving in low-visibility conditions, such as smoke or fog, is extremely dangerous due to the sudden and significant reduction in a driver's ability to see other vehicles and roadway hazards. According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 600 people are killed and over 16,300 are injured in over 38,700 vehicle crashes that occur in limited-visibility scenarios each year. A driver's reaction time is severely limited, making it critical to adjust driving habits to prevent catastrophic chain-reaction collisions. To mitigate the risks associated with driving in low visibility, all personnel should adhere to the following safety procedures:

• Reduce speed and increase following distance: Immediately slow down to a speed that allows you to stop safely within the distance you can see ahead. At a minimum, double your normal following distance from other vehicles, allowing at least a four- to five-second gap.
• Use low-beam headlights: Activate your low-beam headlights and fog lights, if equipped. High-beam headlights will reflect off the smoke or fog, causing glare and further reducing your visibility. Using your headlights makes your vehicle more visible to other drivers.
• Avoid stopping in travel lanes: Never stop on the roadway. As seen in this mishap, a stopped vehicle can trigger a deadly pileup. If visibility becomes too poor to continue driving safely, pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible, turn off your driving lights and activate your emergency flashers.
• Use road markings as a guide: Utilize the solid white line on the right side of the road (the "fog line") as a guide to help you stay in your lane and maintain your position on the roadway. Avoid focusing on the centerline, which could lead you into oncoming traffic.
• Be patient and minimize distractions: Do not attempt to pass other vehicles. Turn off the radio and your cellphone to focus your full attention on the road and listen for traffic that you may not be able to see.
• Know when to pull over: If conditions become too severe, the safest action is to find a safe location, such as a rest stop or parking lot, to pull into and wait for the visibility to improve. Do not continue driving when you cannot see past the hood of your vehicle.

An 18-year-old Private assigned to U.S. Army Signal Activity, Okinawa, Japan, died in an automobile mishap 3 December 2025 near Kadena Air Base, Japan, at 0700 local. The Soldier was in-processing into his new unit when the truck he was driving collided with a concrete light pole on the roadside. Military police and paramedics arrived on scene, where the paramedics performed CPR. The Soldier was transported to U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa for initial treatment, and then transferred to Urasoe General Hospital, where he died. Personal protective equipment use, 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 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the seventh automobile fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Operating a motor vehicle in an unfamiliar overseas environment presents unique challenges that can lead to severe consequences. According to the National Safety Council, drowsy driving can make a person three times more likely to be in a car crash. The following tips are provided to prevent similar mishaps:

• Acclimatize to the new environment: All personnel new to an area should undergo a mandatory local driver's orientation. This training must cover unique local traffic laws, road signage and any different driving customs, such as driving on the left side of the road in Japan.
• Familiarize with the vehicle: Before operating any assigned vehicle, drivers must receive documented familiarization training. This should include pre-operational checks and a thorough understanding of the vehicle's dimensions and blind spots.
• Manage fatigue: Leadership must enforce structured rest periods for newly arrived personnel to combat fatigue and jet lag. No personnel should be permitted to operate a vehicle until they are adequately rested and acclimated.
• Avoid distractions: Reinforce a strict "sterile cockpit" policy, prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices or engaging in other distracting activities while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,308 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2022.
• Plan your route: Drivers should plan their routes in advance using approved navigation tools. It is crucial to stay on main roads and avoid letting navigation apps suggest routes through narrow or unsafe side roads.
• Exercise defensive driving: Always be prepared for unexpected actions from other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, especially on narrow and congested roads. Maintaining a safe following distance and being aware of your surroundings is critical to avoiding collisions.