Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 40-year-old Master Sergeant assigned to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, died in a motorcycle mishap 8 September 2026 on the installation at 1200 local. The Soldier was returning from an off-post lunch when his motorcycle collided with a passenger car, resulting in a severe leg injury. A bystander applied a tourniquet to the Soldier’s leg, and emergency medical services responded to the scene. The Soldier was transported to a local emergency room, where he underwent surgery. During surgery, he suffered a stroke and died. 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 22nd motorcycle fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Critical Takeaways for All Soldiers

• Routine routes carry high risk: Midday routine travel, lunch runs and short transit trips often invite complacency. Hazards do not disappear because a route is familiar or close to base.
• Intersection and urban dynamics: Midday traffic leading to and on military installations features high-density merging, turning vehicles and distracted drivers. Riders must maintain total situational awareness and anticipate unexpected movements from four-wheeled vehicles.
• Impact of lower extremity protection: Motorcycle collisions frequently exert severe crush and impact forces on the lower body. High-grade armored riding boots and impact-rated pants provide vital protection against crush injuries, compound fractures and severe lacerations.
• Immediate first-aid readiness: The application of a tourniquet at the scene highlights the critical importance of battlefield first-aid skills. Every Soldier and rider should carry trauma medical supplies and maintain proficiency in applying them.

All The Gear, All The Time (ATGATT)

• Head and eye protection: Always wear a Department of Transportation (DOT), SNELL or ECE 22.05/22.06-approved full-face or modular helmet, securely fastened. Ensure shatter-resistant eye protection is worn if riding with an open face shield.
• Abrasion resistance and body armor: Wear a heavy-duty motorcycle jacket and riding pants constructed of leather or abrasion-resistant synthetic materials (such as Cordura or Kevlar) equipped with CE-rated impact armor in the shoulders, elbows, back, hips and knees.
• Hands and footwear: Wear full-fingered, abrasion-resistant gloves with palm and knuckle protection, along with sturdy, over-the-ankle leather boots with non-slip soles.
• High visibility: Incorporate retro-reflective and brightly colored outer garments during daylight, dusk, dawn and nighttime operations to maximize visibility to other motorists.

Defensive Riding and Intersection Awareness

• Apply the S.E.E. strategy: Continuously Search the riding environment 12 seconds ahead for hazards, Evaluate potential conflict points (cross-traffic, blind spots, turning vehicles) and Execute decisive control actions (adjusting speed, lane position or route).
• Intersection vigilance: The vast majority of multi-vehicle motorcycle mishaps occur at intersections where drivers turn across a rider’s path. Cover your brakes, reduce speed, establish lane dominance and maintain escape routes when approaching intersections, driveways or access control points.
• Buffer zones and space cushions: Maintain at least a three- to four-second following distance behind vehicles in front of you. Never linger in passenger car blind spots or ride directly alongside other vehicles.
• Speed management and predictability: Obey posted installation and municipal speed limits. Adjust speed for curves, traffic congestion and sightlines. Signal early and brake smoothly to communicate intentions clearly.

Official Safety and Training Resources

• U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center (USACRC): The official hub for Army safety guidelines, regulations, safety tools and mishap reporting. Visit https://safety.army.mil.
• DoD Instruction 6055.04, DoD Motorcycle Vehicle and Traffic Safety Program: Implements policy, assigns responsibilities and prescribes procedures for administering the DoD Motor Vehicle Safety Program. Visit https://www.esd.whs.mil/DD.
• Army Regulation 385-10, The Army Safety and Occupational Health Program: Prescribes policy, responsibilities and procedures for safeguarding Army personnel and property, including PMV safety requirements.
• Travel Risk Planning System (TRiPS): An online tool designed to help Soldiers plan travel routes, analyze driving risks and mitigate fatigue prior to leave or pass travel. Visit https://trips.safety.army.mil.
• Motorcycle Safety Foundation: Offers valuable resources, riding tips and safety curricula for motorcycle operators. Visit https://www.msf-usa.org.

A 34-year-old Army civilian assigned to Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, died in an Industrial/Occupational mishap 10 September 2026 on the installation at 1300 local. While conducting the new employee tour portion of the onboarding process in an air traffic control tower, the Army civilian lost his footing and fell down the stairs, resulting in a head injury. Emergency medical services transported him to a local hospital, where he died days later. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of one Army civilian a year to Industrial/Occupational mishaps. This was the third on-duty Industrial/Occupational Army civilian fatality of FY26 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Air traffic control towers tend to have limited space in the stairwell and operational areas. Caution should be taken to ensure visitors are aware of the potential hazard from slips, trips and falls. This includes visitor safety briefings prior to entry into the tower.

A Specialist assigned to Fort Myer, Virginia, died in an off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishap 6 September 2026 in Washington, D.C., at 2339 local. The Soldier was swimming in the Potomac River and did not resurface. Local law enforcement and emergency services personnel immediately began search-and-rescue efforts. The Soldier’s body was recovered and he was pronounced dead. 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 fourth off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year. This was also the fourth off-duty water-related fatality of FY26.

Safety Tips

• Swimming in open water: Swimming in open water (lakes, rivers, ponds and the ocean) is harder than in a pool. People tire faster and get into trouble more quickly. A person can go underwater in a murky river or lake, making them difficult to find, or be swept away in currents.
• Obey signs: Obey signs near rivers and lakes. Look for "No Swimming" or "No Diving" signs and obey them. They are there for your safety.
• Never swim alone: Never swim alone and swim in a lifeguarded area, especially if you are not a strong swimmer.
• Be cautious of sudden dropoffs: Be cautious of sudden dropoffs in lakes and rivers. People who can’t swim or aren’t strong swimmers have slipped into deeper water and drowned.
• Stay sober: Stay sober when on or in the water. Alcohol and other drugs increase the effects of weather, temperature and wave action.

For more information on water safety, please visit the following link: https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/Sports-and-Recreation/Water-Safety.

A 27-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky, died in an Industrial/Occupational mishap 1 September 2026 on the installation at 1028 local. The Soldier’s unit was repacking a non-standard modular steel bridge system, known as an Acrow, into new shipping containers in preparation for a move to Fort Polk, Louisiana. Several Acrow panels toppled onto and pinned the Soldier. He was transported via air ambulance to a hospital, where he died. Additional information is currently unavailable. The USACRC is leading the investigation into the mishap.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of one Soldier a year to Industrial/Occupational mishaps. This was the second on-duty Industrial/Occupational Soldier fatality of FY26 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

A 22-year-old Sergeant assigned to Grafenwöehr, Germany, died in an automobile mishap 27 August 2026 near Freihung, Germany, at 0800 local. The Soldier’s vehicle collided with a host nation dump truck. The force of the collision caused both vehicles to become engulfed in fire. The Soldier driving the vehicle was trapped and unable to escape. The Soldier riding as a passenger was able to egress with serious injuries. The use of personal protective equipment, speed, and the involvement of alcohol or drugs are currently unknown. Additional information is unavailable at this time.

Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 31st automobile fatality of FY26 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Host Nation Roadway Awareness and Speed Discipline

• Rural German roadways (Landstraßen) surrounding training areas like Grafenwöehr are typically narrow, winding, unlit and lack paved emergency shoulders. Drivers must adjust vehicle speed to match the road geometry, ambient moisture and visibility rather than driving at the maximum posted limit.
• Collisions with heavy commercial vehicles (such as dump trucks or agricultural equipment) create massive energy differentials that lead to catastrophic structural failure and vehicle fires. Drivers must maintain an increased following distance (minimum three to four seconds) and exercise extreme caution when negotiating blind curves.

Occupant Restraints and Egress Readiness

• Mandatory seat belt usage is the single most effective defense against fatal interior impact and blunt force trauma and preserves consciousness, which is critical for rapid self-egress in the event of post-collision cabin deformation or fire.
• Personnel should carry accessible emergency egress tools, such as an automotive glass breaker and seat belt cutter, securely mounted inside the passenger compartment.

Preventive Maintenance and Roadworthiness

• Four-wheel private motor vehicle (PMV) stability depends entirely on tire condition, tire pressure and brake balance.
• Soldiers operating vehicles in Germany must strictly adhere to host nation tire standards, ensuring adequate tread depth and correct seasonal tire ratings.
• Leaders must conduct periodic PMV inspections to verify fluid integrity, light functionality and braking responsiveness.

Department of the Army Regulations and Pamphlets

• AR 385-10 (Safety and Occupational Health Program Management): Prescribes Armywide safety policies and commander responsibilities for PMV mishap prevention.
• DA PAM 385-10 (Army Safety and Occupational Health Program Procedures): Establishes guidance and procedures for implementing the commander’s safety and occupational health program.
• AR 190-5 (Motor Vehicle Traffic Supervision): Details driver licensing requirements, vehicle operation regulations and administrative actions for traffic violations on military installations.

OCONUS and European Theater Regulations

• AER 385-10 (Safety and Occupational Health Program Management): Establishes comprehensive safety and occupational health protocols tailored to the European theater.
• AER 190-1 (Driver and Vehicle Requirements and the Installation Traffic Code for the U.S. Forces in Germany): Establishes USAREUR licensing standards, host nation road rule compliance and PMV mechanical inspection requirements.

U.S. Army Safety Tools

• U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center (USACRC): The official primary hub for Army safety guidelines, regulations, safety tools and mishap reporting. Visit https://safety.army.mil.
• Travel Risk Planning System (TRiPS): An online tool designed to help Soldiers plan travel routes, analyze driving risks and mitigate fatigue prior to leave or pass travel. Visit https://trips.safety.army.mil.