The two US soldiers who died in a horror crash in Alaska when their transport vehicle overturned on the way to training have been identified.
Specialist Jeremy Daniel Evans, 23, of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Specialist Brian Joshua Snowden, 22, of Londell, Missouri, were killed in a “single military vehicle crash” around 11 a.m. Monday.
The Light Medium Tactical Vehicle was carrying 17 soldiers when the driver lost control on the outskirts of Salcha, Alaska, en route to the Yukon Training Area at Fort Wainwright Army Base.
First responders provided initial medical treatment to the victims before transporting them to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.
“We are a real close-knit group in the military, so at this time the entire 11th Airborne Division is grieving and preparing to provide whatever support is needed for the families of the deceased and to help those still in hospital lie. and managing their injuries,” said Army spokesman John Pennell.
Specialist Jeremy Daniel Evans and Specialist Brian Joshua Snowden were flown to Anchorage Providence Medical Center before dying following the horror crash
The Light Medium Tactical Vehicle was carrying 17 soldiers when the driver lost control on the outskirts of Salcha, Alaska, en route to the Yukon Training Area at Fort Wainwright Army Base.
The two most seriously injured were flown to Anchorage Providence Medical Center. All but four soldiers were released from the hospital on Monday.
Alaskan State Troopers, North Pole Fire Department and Eielson Air Force Base all responded to the crash.
Evans and Snowden both joined the military in July 2020 and arrived in Alaska in early 2021. They were both members of the 11th Airborne Division.
Many heartfelt tributes have been paid to the fallen soldiers, as the former Snowden School District in Missouri posted on their Facebook page Thursday.
Snowden, 22, from Lonedell, Missouri, graduated from Grandview High School in 2020.
“It has come to our attention that one of the two U.S. Army soldiers killed in an accident in Alaska on Monday is a Grandview R-II graduate,” a release from the district said.
“Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to his family for their loss, as well as our gratitude for his service.”
His sister Dona Sappington also posted a photo of Snowden on Facebook, saying: “January 7, 2022. I had no idea this would be the last time I would ever see you.”
In another post, Sappington said: “I wish I could have seen you on the news doing something stupid instead of this. I miss you very much.’
Snowden (photo) and Evans were both members of the 11th Airborne Division.
Snowden lived in Missouri before his military career took him to Alaska
Tributes have been paid to the two fallen soldiers since their deaths
Evans (pictured) and Snowden both joined the military in July 2020 and arrived in Alaska in early 2021
Evans married his wife Sloane in 2021 when the couple met in their home state of Tennessee and had been together since 2015.
Twelve other soldiers were injured and taken to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital after Alaskan State Troopers, North Pole Fire Department and Eielson Air Force Base all responded to the crash.
Evans was from Tennessee and has been in a relationship with his wife since 2015. Evans and Sloane married in August 2021.
Posting on Facebook about the couple’s first Christmas in Alaska, Sloane said: ‘Jeremy and I really appreciate everyone sending a gift to our house, Christmas was tough not being with everyone. We love and miss everyone.”
The post included photos of both Jeremy and Sloane with their new Christmas gifts.
Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan said in a statement Tuesday: “Members of the 11th Airborne Division, our state’s ‘Arctic Angels,’ put their lives on the line every day to defend our country, whether they are serving thousands of miles away or do training exercises at home.
Alaska relies on our strong military, and we owe them and their families a debt of gratitude for their service. Today, the 11th Airborne Division needs our support and prayers.”
Fort Wainright also posted a tribute to Facebook on Thursday, saying, “While we are always challenged by the environment, we are Arctic Angels, we overcome these challenges and accomplish our mission by being a team, and teams take care of each other. , especially in times like these.”
The crash is being investigated by the military. The Army Combat Readiness Center in Alabama will also send an investigation team because fatalities were involved.