Mississippi
One Soldier Dead, Another Hospitalized Amid Outdoor Fitness Tests in Mississippi Heat Wave
The death of a soldier and the hospitalization of another last week at Camp Shelby, an Army base in Mississippi, may have been caused by a combination of hot weather and the service’s fitness test, as record-breaking heat waves torch much of the U.S.
A junior enlisted Illinois National Guardsman died Friday at the base right after completing the Army Combat Fitness Test, or ACFT. Spc. Nathaniel Jefferson, 38, collapsed after finishing the two-mile run, the final part of the six-event test. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital, a base spokesperson told Military.com.
The cause of death was unclear Thursday, but one source with direct knowledge of the situation said Jefferson had symptoms associated with heat-related injuries.
Read Next: Air Force Won’t Disclose Causes of 17 Deaths at Tinker Air Force Base This Year
Another soldier at Camp Shelby was hospitalized the following day, prompting the base to curtail many outdoor training activities after the back-to-back incidents.
The 18-year-old soldier, who suffered hot weather injuries during a separate ACFT, was in the Mississippi’s Recruit Sustainment Program, or RSP — Detachment 3, Bravo Co., where newly enlisted Guardsmen train on Army fundamentals during weekends before being shipped off to basic training.
The soldier, who was not identified by the Army, was still recovering in the hospital on Thursday.
The temperature in the area hit record-breaking temperatures of around 102 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday. However, the ACFT Jefferson conducted was at 6 a.m., when temperatures were in the mid-60s, but the humidity level was at 90%.
Most of the Army’s fitness test can be conducted indoors, but Camp Shelby’s gym does not have an indoor track for the run.
The Army’s policy on facilitating the ACFT forbids the test from being conducted when the weather or other environmental conditions can hurt athletic performance, though the specifics are vague and generally up to a commander’s discretion.
High humidity levels make it harder for the body to cool down and can reduce blood flow to the muscles and spur the cardiovascular system to be overtaxed, studies show. The humid air also raises the body’s temperatures and tires it much more quickly than drier air.
The back-to-back incidents prompted a safety stand-down that is still in effect at Camp Shelby, prohibiting organized outdoor physical fitness training between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
“Leaders are consistently evaluating weather conditions and performing risk assessments to measure and prevent further heat injuries to safeguard our service members and ensure we are always ready and always there for the Mississippi communities in which we serve,” Lt. Col. Deidre Smith, a Guard spokesperson, said in a statement.
Jefferson, a tactical power generation specialist, was participating in the Basic Leader Course, or BLC, run by the 154th Regiment Regional Training Institute. That 22-day course is mandatory for soldiers to hold the rank of sergeant. Part of the course’s requirements is to pass an ACFT.
Jefferson was assigned to the Illinois National Guard’s 710th Medical Company Area Support. His awards include a State Active Duty Ribbon and three Army Achievement Medals.
Despite the death and injury — and even as the stifling heat waves affect large parts of the U.S. — heat-related injuries may be on a downward trend in the Army.
In July 2019, there were 430 reported heat injuries in the service, but in July 2022, there were 275, according to internal data reviewed by Military.com.
However, the data does not include the National Guard, and heat injuries are likely underreported.
The service has implemented some minor changes in how soldiers cool down during training, such as having tubs of ice for soldiers to dunk their arms in at Fort Moore, Georgia. That base, located in the humid South and home to the basic training schools for infantrymen and cavalry scouts, has among the highest rates of hot weather injuries.
Rising temperatures as a result of climate change is a key concern for Army planners as they move forward on soldier welfare and training. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, known for its mild Pacific Northwest summers, has authorized soldiers to buy portable air conditioning units and has long-term plans to build new barracks with air conditioning, a luxury that until recent years was uncommon in the Seattle area.
— Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.
Soldiers at JBLM Authorized to Buy AC Units as Base Moves Toward Air-Conditioned Barracks
Story Continues
Mississippi
Why Mississippi State football loss to Arizona State revealed a strong Jeff Lebby culture
It was 11:10 p.m. Saturday in Starkville when Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt barreled into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game.
At that point, it would’ve been fair for Mississippi State football fans to call it a night. The Bulldogs (1-1) trailed 27-3 at ASU in the final minute of the second quarter. They were dominated in just about every statistical category. New coach Jeff Lebby looked like he was headed toward his first loss, and an embarrassing one.
And even if you gave the second half a chance, eyes just a crack open, that wasn’t encouraging either. Arizona State (2-0) took the opening drive of the third quarter for a field goal while eating 8 minutes, 27 seconds of game time. That just about decided the game before Mississippi State touched the ball in the second half.
Wrong.
Instead, MSU scored touchdowns on three of its next four drives and cut the score to 30-23 with 5:27 to play. The defense, which was torched for 346 rushing yards, needed one more stop to let the offense try to tie it. It would’ve been the largest comeback in program history.
Mississippi State’s path to a bowl game seems murkier than it was a week ago. But in the long-term, there’s still encouragement after the 30-23 loss.
“Our guys battled in an incredible way in the second half, and we’re going to hold on to that,” Lebby said in his postgame radio interview. “We’re going to find ways to get back in the building, get back to work and be able to walk into Davis Wade (Stadium) with a ton of confidence and ready to go win a football game.”
The encouragement from Mississippi State’s comeback effort
Lebby said after beating Eastern Kentucky 56-7 in Week 1 that there is an abundance of teachable moments in wins, just like losses.
There is plenty to point to after losing to Arizona State.
Mississippi State came out incredibly flat. The Sun Devils scored on their first five possessions. The MSU offense had one field goal, two punts, a fumble returned for a touchdown and a turnover-on-downs in the first half. MSU had -13 rushing yards in the first half.
There were concerns entering the game about the travel distance, late kickoff and high temperature. But let’s be real, Mississippi State was playing so poorly at the start that it was hard to judge if those were factors.
“I got to do a better job getting these guys ready to go play out of the gate,” Lebby said. “I thought our energy, our effort and our emotion was really good, but then we did not play clean there in the first quarter, so that part was frustrating.”
The Bulldogs outscored the Sun Devils 20-0 in the final quarter and a half. It was a surprise. Arizona State was rolling. Mississippi State was not.
MORE: Introducing Sam Sklar, the Clarion Ledger’s new Mississippi State beat reporter
For Lebby, a first-time head coach at any level, let it be a learning moment for him. It was his first time getting pinned in a corner. The Bulldogs adjusted correctly in the second half like good coaches do.
The rushing offense and defense both need to improve. Badly. Quarterback Blake Shapen has been impressive in his first two Mississippi State games and the wide receiver room is deep and talented as ever, but they can’t be the only answer.
That’s just for this season.
Mississippi State has its first tally in the loss column. But it isn’t a strike against Lebby leading the future of the program.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Sam Leavitt leads ASU to convincing victory in 1st career start
Leavitt and the Sun Devils cruised past visiting Wyoming 48-7 on Saturday night at Mountain America Stadium.
The Arizona State football team elevated its play on the field in its 48-7 win over Wyoming in Week 1.
It is elevating its uniform game for Week 2 against Mississippi State.
ASU football is wearing a gold alternate jersey against the Bulldogs at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Saturday night.
The jersey includes maroon “Arizona State” lettering and maroon numbering, along with a noticeable Big 12 logo.
The Sun Devil football team unveiled the uniform last month, with Athletic Director Graham Rossini posting that “you’ll see this on the field early this season.”
On Thursday, ASU football announced that it would be wearing the uniform against Mississippi State with a video that said “Modern shine, with a classic design.”
On Friday, it posted another look at the uniform.
More: Arizona State vs Mississippi State live score updates, analysis for college football game
ASU vs Mississippi State schedule, TV: How to watch college football game
Promising look: Arizona State football’s 2024 win prediction doubles after Week 1 victory over Wyoming
Social media reacted favorably overall to ASU football’s uniform vs Mississippi State:
Do you like the look for ASU football?
ASU vs. Mississippi State picks: Who wins Week 2 college football game?
Looking promising: Arizona State football makes huge leap in college football ranking, Big 12 power rankings
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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WARREN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – There are questions about a bus company’s track record after a fatal bus crash in Mississippi on Saturday, August 31.
Seven people died when a passenger bus traveling on Interstate 20 left the roadway and overturned. The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) said that 41 passengers and two drivers were enroute to Dallas from Atlanta.
Autobuses Regiomontanos owned the bus in the crash. The company, which is registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), has had a troubled record in recent memory. It consists of lawsuits, driver fitness violations and even another fatal crash in 2023.
According to the DOT, the company, based in Laredo, Texas, operates 17 vehicles and employs 39 drivers. The company currently has a ‘conditional‘ safety rating. It is given to companies with ‘inadequate‘ safety controls. Still, companies with this rating may continue to operate.
Its most recent compliance review occurred in July 2023. Using data available from the DOT’s Safety Management System, it has had 155 inspections. Of those inspections, 58 had violations. Nearly all were vehicle maintenance violations.
Three infractions between October and December of 2023 involved issues with vehicle tires. Other infractions included 16 brake or air brake violations and citations for having two buses with no or defective emergency exits.
Seven victims killed in Mississippi bus crash identified
Other inspection violations related to the bus company’s drivers. All violations occurred this year. They include the following:
-
(1) Operating a commercial vehicle without corrective lenses or hearing aids as indicated on the driver’s medical certificate (2) Operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) while not possessing a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL).
-
05/13/2024
-
05/14/2024
-
05/14/2024
-
05/28/2024
-
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Operate a CMV while not in possession of a CDL on person.
DOT data indicates that company buses have been in four separate accidents over the last two years. A November 2022 crash required a bus to be towed away and another in April 2023 resulted in someone dying. Below is the record.
|
Date |
Location |
Deaths |
Injuries |
|
10/16/2023 |
Louisiana |
0 |
1 |
|
4/15/2023 |
Texas |
1 |
2 |
|
11/23/2022 |
Tennessee |
0 |
0 |
|
9/24/2022 |
Arkansas |
0 |
1 |
The NTSB is investigating the crash in conjunction with MHP. NTSB officials said they will look at the carrier’s safety record and protections for bus occupants.
Community comes together to help Mississippi bus crash victims
Autobuses Regiomontanos violated several provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), it failed to have an ADA training program in place for its employees and contractors, failed to file required ADA compliance reports and failed to ensure that all lifts on its buses were properly maintained.
In 2015, the company entered into a settlement agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
The company was also named as a defendant in a $708 million lawsuit filed by New York City City in January. The city accused Autobuses Regiomontanos and other charter bus and transportation companies of taking migrants to the Big Apple on behalf of the State of Texas.
The DOT advises travelers to do the following before they book their next bus trip.
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Search for bus companies
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Verify that a company is authorized to operate
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Review the company’s safety records
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Make sure the company is licensed and insured
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If appropriate, report a company
DOT agencies advise consumers that unless a motor carrier has received an unsatisfactory rating or has been ordered to discontinue its operations, it is authorized to operate on the nation’s roadways. Additionally, readers should not conclude that a carrier is safe or unsafe by only using data from DOT agencies. For more information, click here.
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