dirt racer
12-29-2007, 08:18 PM
3-star general urges intervention after motorcycle crashes
http://honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071224/COLUMNISTS32/712240301/1315/COLUMNISTS32
A soldier with the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade at Schofield Barracks was killed Nov. 21 after crashing his motorcycle into a guardrail on H-2 Freeway at an estimated 100 mph while not wearing a helmet, according to the Army.
The Army said alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor.
Two days later, a staff sergeant with the 545th Transportation Company was seriously injured when he lost control of his motorcycle and struck a light pole, according to the service.
The Army said the soldier was wearing a helmet, but suffered injuries to his head, spinal cord and right arm.
On Dec. 2, a staff sergeant with the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, was killed after crashing his motorcycle into a curb in Wahiawa, according to the Army.
The Army said the soldier was wearing a helmet, but speed and alcohol were suspected as contributing factors.
Three serious motorcycle crashes in three weeks' time. Two of the soldiers had recently returned from Iraq, officials said.
The Army makes a concerted effort to counsel soldiers returning from an extended period in a war zone to reintegrate into home life slowly, cautiously and responsibly.
The spate of motorcycle crashes was enough that Lt. Gen. John M. Brown III, commander of U.S. Army Pacific, which has its headquarters at Fort Shafter, raised concern in a recent column in the Hawaii Army Weekly newspaper.
"First and foremost, these accidents are a tragic loss of life that affect families, friends, loved ones and everyone else in U.S. Army Pacific," Brown said. "The soldiers killed and injured in these accidents had families and friends, and everyone who they touched will feel their loss."
But in addition to the grief, mourning, anger and disbelief brought about by the deaths, "many are asking why these accidents occurred and what can be done to prevent them from ever happening again," Brown said.
Brown said investigations are ongoing, and it was premature to draw conclusions, but he wanted to use the opportunity to discuss the two leading causes of accidental death among soldiers: alcohol and speed.
In Hawai'i's small, tight-knit Army community, Brown said, it's almost always the case that a fellow soldier or family member knows when a comrade is about to drive under the influence of alcohol.
"All too often, no one intervenes to prevent his or her buddy from driving drunk," Brown said.
As the holidays approach, Brown's warnings are probably good for everyone, and not just soldiers.
According to an Army official, U.S. Army Pacific, including Hawai'i, Alaska and Japan, went 400 days without an accidental fatality before the motorcycle crashes.
In fiscal year 2006, U.S. Army Pacific had 10 fatalities that were accident-related, six in 2007, and three so far in the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, including the two motorcycle crashes and a car crash.
http://honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071224/COLUMNISTS32/712240301/1315/COLUMNISTS32
A soldier with the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade at Schofield Barracks was killed Nov. 21 after crashing his motorcycle into a guardrail on H-2 Freeway at an estimated 100 mph while not wearing a helmet, according to the Army.
The Army said alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor.
Two days later, a staff sergeant with the 545th Transportation Company was seriously injured when he lost control of his motorcycle and struck a light pole, according to the service.
The Army said the soldier was wearing a helmet, but suffered injuries to his head, spinal cord and right arm.
On Dec. 2, a staff sergeant with the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, was killed after crashing his motorcycle into a curb in Wahiawa, according to the Army.
The Army said the soldier was wearing a helmet, but speed and alcohol were suspected as contributing factors.
Three serious motorcycle crashes in three weeks' time. Two of the soldiers had recently returned from Iraq, officials said.
The Army makes a concerted effort to counsel soldiers returning from an extended period in a war zone to reintegrate into home life slowly, cautiously and responsibly.
The spate of motorcycle crashes was enough that Lt. Gen. John M. Brown III, commander of U.S. Army Pacific, which has its headquarters at Fort Shafter, raised concern in a recent column in the Hawaii Army Weekly newspaper.
"First and foremost, these accidents are a tragic loss of life that affect families, friends, loved ones and everyone else in U.S. Army Pacific," Brown said. "The soldiers killed and injured in these accidents had families and friends, and everyone who they touched will feel their loss."
But in addition to the grief, mourning, anger and disbelief brought about by the deaths, "many are asking why these accidents occurred and what can be done to prevent them from ever happening again," Brown said.
Brown said investigations are ongoing, and it was premature to draw conclusions, but he wanted to use the opportunity to discuss the two leading causes of accidental death among soldiers: alcohol and speed.
In Hawai'i's small, tight-knit Army community, Brown said, it's almost always the case that a fellow soldier or family member knows when a comrade is about to drive under the influence of alcohol.
"All too often, no one intervenes to prevent his or her buddy from driving drunk," Brown said.
As the holidays approach, Brown's warnings are probably good for everyone, and not just soldiers.
According to an Army official, U.S. Army Pacific, including Hawai'i, Alaska and Japan, went 400 days without an accidental fatality before the motorcycle crashes.
In fiscal year 2006, U.S. Army Pacific had 10 fatalities that were accident-related, six in 2007, and three so far in the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, including the two motorcycle crashes and a car crash.