Marine dies in vehicle rollover incident during training exercise at California combat center

Marine officials are investigating what caused the accident in desert area of the state

The incident happened at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California (Google Maps)

A Marine has been killed in a Humvee vehicle rollover during a training exercise at a combat center in California, military officials say.

The unidentified Marine was assigned to a ‘Tactical Training Exercise Control Group’ in Twentynine Palms on Saturday when the fatal accident incident happened.

Marine Corps officials said that the victim was involved in a vehicle rollover with a high mobility, multipurpose wheeled vehicle at the center during a service-level training exercise.

The Marine was treated at the Robert E Bush Naval Hospital in Twentynine Palms before he was medically evacuated to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, officials said.

It was at the second hospital where the Marine was pronounced deceased on Sunday.

No other Marines were injured in the incident, officials said.

We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the Marine during this difficult time,” the Twentynine Palms combat center said in their statement.

They added they will not be releasing the identity of the service member until 24 hours after all next of kin have been notified.

The cause of the vehicle rollover is still under investigation.

In 2021, a report released by the US Government Accountability Office revealed the frequency of in-training accidents involving tactical vehicles.

Between 2010 and 2019, the Army and Marine Corps reported 3,753 non-combat accidents resulting in 123 servicemember deaths involving tanks, trucks and other tactical vehicles.

The report claims that driver inattention, supervision lapses, and training shortfalls were common causes of these accidents.

This is not the first time this year that a Marine has died during a training exercise on US military grounds.

Seargent Colin Arslanbas was killed during a parachute mishap in a training accident at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina on April 18, officials from the II Marine Expeditionary Force said.

The Marine was assigned to the Maritime Special Purpose Force, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit at the time.

Arslanbas, from Missouri, was only promoted to the rank of Seargent just weeks before the tragic loss of his life.