Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 23-year-old Sergeant assigned to J. Wesley Sampler Readiness Center, Rogers, Arkansas, died in a PMV-4 mishap 8 December 2024 near Dermott, Arkansas, at 0454 local. The Soldier was driving to battle assembly when he was involved in a single-vehicle mishap. Seat belt use, speed, alcohol or drug involvement are currently unknown.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the sixth PMV-4 fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety Tip

Drowsy driving kills — but is preventable. Learn about the factors commonly associated with drowsy-driving crashes and pick up some helpful tips to avoid falling asleep at the wheel. In this section, you’ll also find several resources and learn what National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is doing to help eliminate this risky behavior.

Avoid Driving Drowsy

1. Occur most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m., or in the late afternoon. At both times of the day, people experience dips in their circadian rhythm — the human body’s internal clock that regulates sleep.
2. Often involve only a single driver (and no passengers) running off the road at a high rate of speed with no evidence of braking.
3. Frequently occur on rural roads and highways.
4. Getting adequate sleep on a daily basis is the only true way to protect yourself against the risks of driving when you’re drowsy. Experts urge consumers to make it a priority to get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. For more information on healthy sleep, see In Brief: Your Guide to Healthy Sleep (PDF, 1.81 MB) at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website.
5. Before the start of a long family car trip, get a good night’s sleep, or you could put your entire family and others at risk.
6. Many teens do not get enough sleep at a stage in life when their biological need for sleep increases, which makes them vulnerable to the risk of drowsy-driving crashes, especially on longer trips. Advise your teens to delay driving until they’re well-rested.
7. Avoid drinking any alcohol before driving. Consumption of alcohol interacts with sleepiness to increase drowsiness and impairment.
8. Always check your prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to see if drowsiness could result from their use.
9. If you take medications that could cause drowsiness as a side effect, use public transportation when possible.
10. If you drive, avoid driving during the peak sleepiness periods (midnight – 6 a.m. and late afternoon). If you must drive during the peak sleepiness periods, stay vigilant for signs of drowsiness, such as crossing over roadway lines or hitting a rumble strip, especially if you’re driving alone drinking coffee or energy drinks alone is not always enough. They might help you feel more alert, but the effects last only a short time, and you might not be as alert as you think you are. If you drink coffee and are seriously sleep deprived, you still may have “micro sleeps” or brief losses of consciousness that can last for four or five seconds. This means that at 55 miles per hour, you’ve traveled more than 100 yards down the road while asleep. That’s plenty of time to cause a crash.
11. If you start to get sleepy while you’re driving, drink one to two cups of coffee and pull over for a short 20-minute nap in a safe place, such as a lighted, designated rest stop. This has been shown to increase alertness in scientific studies, but only for short time periods.

Tips provided by NHTSA.

 

 

A 37-year-old Major assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-4 mishap 9 December 2024 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, at 0800 local. The Soldier was driving when he collided with another vehicle and sustained fatal injuries. Seat belt use, speed, alcohol or drug involvement is currently unknown.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the fifth PMV-4 fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

 

 

A 25-year-old Specialist assigned to Kadena Air Base, Japan, died in a PMV-2 mishap 8 December 2024 on Camp Foster, Japan, at 1600 local. The Soldier was riding his sportbike out the installation gate when he lost control and crashed. According to reports, he was properly licensed and met all base requirements for registration and qualification. Motorcycle training, personal protective equipment and alcohol or drug use are currently unknown.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 29 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the sixth PMV-2 fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

 

 

A 23-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-4 mishap 23 November 2024 near Fayetteville, North Carolina, at 1445 local. The Soldier was traveling on a two-lane highway when he struck a semi-truck head on. Emergency services were called, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Seat belt use, speed, alcohol or drug involvement is currently unknown.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the fourth PMV-4 fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this time last year.

Safety Tip

Swerving is an incredibly dangerous behavior performed by drivers of all skill levels. Swerving is defined as an abrupt and often jarring change from one lane to another, usually without any form of warning by the offending driver beforehand.

1. Active lane awareness: Regularly check your position within the lane by glancing at the lane markings, not just relying on the car in front of you. While you should focus primarily on the road ahead, occasional glances at the side and rear mirrors will help you gauge your exact location on the road. Ensure your mirrors are properly adjusted before you start driving. Check them every 5-8 minutes to confirm you can see the lines on both sides of your vehicle, indicating you're centered in your lane.
2. Peripheral vision: Use your peripheral vision to monitor the edges of your lane and oncoming traffic. When you fixate on things close by, it can easily cause you to drift away from the center. Instead, look at objects on the horizon. By focusing far ahead, you can still see nearby obstacles and control your vehicle's position better.
3. Steering technique: Maintain a relaxed grip on the wheel to avoid overcorrecting and drifting. Be aware of road conditions like curves and inclines that may require slight steering adjustments to stay centered in your lane. Keep both hands on the steering wheel at the "9 and 3" position, ensuring a balanced grip and allowing for smooth adjustments.
4. Distraction management: Always minimize distractions like phone usage, loud music, or conversations to stay focused on the task of driving. Put your phone away and keep it out of reach while driving. Use a hands-free device if you need to make or answer calls. Keep your attention solely on the road while driving.
5. Appropriate speed: Adjust your speed based on road conditions and weather, ensuring you have enough time to react. Reduce speed if road and traffic conditions warrant it.
6. Road conditions: Be particularly vigilant on roads with uneven surfaces or poor visibility.
7. Signs of fatigue: Avoid driving when you are fatigued. To prevent accidents like drifting into the other lane, it is crucial to never drive when you are tired; if you start feeling drowsy behind the wheel, pull over to a safe location and rest before continuing your journey.

Tips provided by NTSI.

 

 

A 24-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died in a privately owned weapons (POW) mishap 11 November 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 0050 local. The Soldier was attempting to demonstrate the effectiveness of his weapon’s safety feature when it unintentionally discharged. Colorado Springs Emergency Services responded to the incident. During transport to the hospital, the Soldier was pronounced dead. Local authorities are investigating the incident.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of two Soldiers a year to POW mishaps. This mishap was the first POW fatality of FY25 and below the number of POW fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Never assume that proficiency with your assigned military weapon makes you an expert on all weapons. If you are handling a new weapon, read the owner’s manual carefully and take a class to get the proper training.

Never consume alcohol prior to or while handling weapons.

Take action if you see someone handling a weapon in any unsafe manner, especially while under the influence of alcohol.

Always THINK weapons safety:
 

• Treat every weapon as if it is loaded.
• Handle every weapon with care.
• Identify the target before you fire.
• Never point the muzzle at anything you don’t intend to shoot.
• Keep the weapon on safe and your finger off the trigger until you intend to fire.
  
  For more information on privately owned weapons safety, check out: https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/Privately-Owned-Weapons
   

ANALYZE IT   |   TRAIN IT   |   DOWNLOAD PDF