[VOA]

One of the leading causes of death among military personnel, and it
is a matter of much concern among base commanders and of the DoD
in general, is off-duty automobile crashes in the U.S.A. and its territories.

And even vehicular accidents in pacified or semi-pacified zones,
e.g., Gen. Patton.

I also know of the son of a teacher I knew in Los Angeles.
IIRC, the son was in the US Navy, then "re-invented himself"
and was a top-flight Arabic translator (in the Army?).
He volunteered to go on tour in Iraq (so a married colleague
could stay home in the USA).
IIRC, he and his driver were killed instantly in a run-of-the-mill
head-on car accident soon after he got to Iraq.

[VeniVidiVici]

IIRC, he and his driver were killed instantly in a run-of-the-mill head-on car accident soon after he got to Iraq.

General Patton was killed in an accident.

As you point out, in the military they are not uncommon.