Two soldiers were killed in a single-vehicle crash during a field training exercise at Fort Stewart near Savannah on Thursday night, U.S. Army officials confirmed.
The soldiers, identified as Staff Sgt. Shelbe Butner and Spc. Jacob Mullen, were assigned to the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team and 3rd Infantry Division, a spokesperson for the 3rd Infantry Division said in a news release. They were both motor transport operators.
According to Lt. Col. Angel Tomko, Butner and Mullen were participating in a combat training exercise near Camp Oliver. They were operating a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle “under blackout conditions” and rolled off the road into standing water, Tomko said.
Soldiers from their unit responded to the crash and rendered first aid until the Evans County Fire Department, Fort Stewart Fire Emergency Services and other emergency services arrived.
Butner, 28, was a Missouri native who served in the Army for nine years. Her awards and decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Assault Badge and the Drill Sergeant Badge.
Mullen, 25, a Maryland native, served in the Army for seven years and was previously deployed to Poland. His awards and decorations included the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
No other soldiers were injured in the incident.
“Our hearts are broken at this devastating loss,” Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, said in a statement. “Shelbe and Jacob were honored and highly respected Soldiers of the Marne Division, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and fellow soldiers at this incredibly difficult time.”
No details have been released about what caused the crash. Officials said the U.S. Army’s Combat Readiness Center, the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps are investigating.
“The division is providing resources to the families and soldiers to support the mental and emotional wellbeing of those who served with Butner and Mullen,” Tomko said.
Georgia Congressman Mike Collins extended his condolences on social media.
“Please join me in praying for the families of the soldiers and everyone impacted by this tragedy,” he said.
Earlier this week, about 200 soldiers from Fort Stewart were deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border as part of the Trump Administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Their mission is to support enhanced detection and monitoring efforts and help set up and repair physical barriers, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.
Thursday night’s crash comes one day after a U.S. Army helicopter collided midair with an American Airlines passenger jet at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington.
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