Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 27-year-old Sergeant assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, died in a Privately Owned Weapons (POW) mishap 22 December 2024 on the installation at 1300 local. The Soldier was driving his personal vehicle when a hunter fired at a deer across the road. The round passed through the driver’s side door, striking the Soldier.

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

 

 

A 38-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to Camp Blanding, Florida, died in an on-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 10 January 2025 on the installation at 0655 local. The Soldier was on drill weekend performing physical training when a civilian-operated vehicle struck him. The specific circumstances of the mishap are currently unknown.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of one Soldier a year to on-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This was the first on-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap of FY25 and above the number of on-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tip

We rarely are more vulnerable than when walking in urban areas, crossing busy streets and negotiating traffic. We all are pedestrians from time to time, so it's important to pay attention to what is going on around us. In 2022, an estimated 9,188 pedestrians died in traffic and non-traffic incidents, with 7,522 of those killed in traffic crashes on public roads, according to Injury Facts.

All Ages Are Vulnerable

According to Injury Facts, in 2022, more than 17.7% of all traffic deaths were pedestrians. Every age group is vulnerable, but the largest number of pedestrian deaths occur among 55- to 64-year-olds (1,351). While children under aged 5 to 9 experienced the fewest number of pedestrian deaths (51 in 2022), these deaths still represented nearly 16.3% of all traffic deaths for this age group.

Follow these tips to stay safe as a pedestrian:

• Whenever possible, walk on the sidewalk; if no sidewalk is available, walk facing traffic
• Follow the rules of the road, obeying all traffic signs and signals
• Cross streets at crosswalks
• If no crosswalk is available and your view is blocked, move to a place where you can see oncoming traffic
• Look left, right and left again before crossing the street, making eye contact with drivers of oncoming vehicles to make sure they see you
• Stay alert – avoid cellphone use and wearing earbuds
• Avoid alcohol and drug impairment when walking
• Wear bright and/or reflective clothing, and use a flashlight at night
• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots
• Children younger than 10 should cross the street with an adult

Head Up, Phone Down

Distracted walking incidents are on the rise, and everyone with a cellphone is at risk. We are losing focus on our surroundings and putting our safety at risk. The solution: Stop using phones while walking, and not just in crosswalks and intersections. Over half of distracted walking injuries occur in our own homes, proving that we need to stay aware of our surroundings indoors and out.

Pedestrian Safety Is a Shared Responsibility

When driving, help keep pedestrians of all ages safe:

• Obey all traffic laws, especially posted speed limits in school zones
• Watch for pedestrians at all times and be extra cautious when backing up
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, making eye contact to indicate that you see them
• Never pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks
• Stay alert – avoid distracted driving
• Do not drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• Tips provided by the National Safety Council.

 

 

A 25-year-old Active Guard Reserve First Lieutenant, assigned to T.H. Morrow United States Army Reserve Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, on orders died in an off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 5 January 2025 in Kanawha County, West Virginia, at 1930 local. The Soldier was driving in the southbound lane of Interstate 77 when she lost control of her vehicle and collided with the median barrier. After exiting her vehicle, she was struck by a civilian semi-truck. The specific circumstances of the mishap are currently unknown.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of five Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This was the second off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap of FY25 and above to the same number of off-duty PMV Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety tip

Tips for Stopping on the Highway Shoulder
Being a pedestrian on a highway shoulder is extremely dangerous. For this reason, if you are not in an emergency, do not stop on the shoulder. Whenever possible, drive to the nearest exit. If there is no exit within a reasonable distance and you are in an emergency, consider the following tips for stopping on the highway shoulder.

1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
When you run into trouble on the road, don’t slam the brakes. You never know what other drivers are doing behind you or if they’re paying attention to what’s happening in front of them. Instead, gently and smoothly take your foot off the accelerator to gradually slow down.

2. Signal your intentions to drivers around you.
There is nothing scarier (or more annoying) than a driver who cuts into your lane without warning. Don’t do it to others. If you have an emergency of some sort and need to pull over, use your blinkers to warn other drivers that you are intending to switch lanes. If possible, use your hazard lights to indicate your situation to the drivers around you.

3. Pull to the right side.
The right lane is typically the slowest lane. Because high speeds limit reaction times and visibility, the right side of the road is generally safer.

4. Pull off the road as far as possible.
This seems like common sense; however, many people fail to follow through on this. Even when the shoulder is wide enough, you should try to pull over as far as possible. It’s best to put as much space as possible between your car and the roadway. In fact, if the ground next to the pavement is even, you may want to consider pulling off the shoulder entirely.

5. Put the parking brake on.
Ensuring your parking brake is on will keep your vehicle from easily rolling if hit.

6. Exit the vehicle and stand on the side farthest from oncoming traffic.
If a car does come careening off the road and plows into your car, you want to be standing on the other side of the car. In fact, it is in your best interest to stand a couple of hundred feet away from the vehicle and off to the side. A car traveling at a high speed can push a stopped car hundreds of feet.

7. Make sure you’re visible.
Often, accidents occur because drivers simply don’t see that someone is on the side of the road. Flags, flares and other hazard indicators can warn others of your presence on the highway shoulder — especially at night.

8. Call for help immediately.
If you don’t have the equipment to change your tire or if you spend several minutes trying to start your car — call a tow truck. Every minute you are on the side of the highway puts you at serious risk. Your priority should be your safety, not your car or saving money.

Tips provided by AI Overview, NSC, NHTSA and Carlson Law Firm blog
 

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A 19-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, died in a PMV-2 mishap 22 December 2024 in Tampa, Florida, at 1800 local. While on leave, the Soldier was involved in a motorcycle accident. He was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he died from his injuries. Personal protective equipment, training and speed are currently unknown.

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

 

 

A 22-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Eisenhower, Georgia, died in a PMV-4 mishap 2 January 2025 at the access gate of Fort Eisenhower, Georgia, at 0800 local. The Soldier was driving his vehicle when a sport utility vehicle struck his vehicle. Seat belt use, speed, alcohol or drug use is currently unknown.

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