Old nemesis claims lives of four Airmen since start of summer safety focus Published June 15, 2023 By Tim Barela Air Education and Training Command Safety JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas-- Since the 101 Critical Days of Summer kicked off Memorial Day weekend at the end of May, the Air Force has lost four Airmen to an old nemesis: vehicle mishaps. Two Airmen died in car accidents, while another perished in a motorcycle crash. The fourth succumbed to injuries suffered in an all-terrain vehicle mishap. None of the Airmen were assigned to Air Education and Training Command. “All of the mishaps are still being investigated, so we don’t have a lot of details yet,” said Robbie Bogard, AETC Occupational Safety Division chief. “But in one of the vehicle accidents, an 18-wheeler struck the victim’s car. In the motorcycle mishap, the rider collided with a vehicle.” With the Juneteenth and Fourth of July holiday weekends right around the corner, Bogard says Airmen need to take extra precautions to avoid adding to this tragic tally. “Don’t drive fatigued, don’t drink and drive, wear your seat belt, and avoid distractions while driving,” he stressed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration adds, “Plan your route. Before heading out, make sure to check the weather, road conditions and traffic. Don’t rush through your trip; allow plenty of time to get to your destination safely. And always familiarize yourself with directions and maps before you go, even if you use a GPS, and let others know your route and anticipated arrival time.” For more summer driving safety tips, visit the NHTSA website at https://www.nhtsa.gov/summer-driving-tips.