A U.S. soldier has died after being struck by an M2 Bradley fighting vehicle during a large-scale training exercise in California, an Army spokesperson confirmed.

Adrian Bonsey, 29, a combat engineer assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart in Georgia, was on foot on June 10 in a training area in the Mojave Desert. The incident occurred during hours of limited visibility around 4:30 a.m. when Bonsey was run over by the 27-ton armored vehicle.

The Army spokesperson stated that the incident is currently under investigation. Maj. Gen. John Lubas, the 3rd Infantry Division commander, described Bonsey as an "exceptional soldier" and expressed that the loss was devastating for the division. He added that the division would support Bonsey's family, loved ones, and fellow soldiers.

Bonsey, originally from New York, joined the Army in 2023 and had been stationed at Fort Stewart for two months. Prior to this assignment, he served at Fort Carson, Colorado, and deployed to Poland in 2024. The M2 Bradley is a heavily armed armored vehicle designed for combat, carrying a crew and additional troops while equipped with various weaponry.

The training exercise was taking place at the National Training Center in the Mojave Desert, which serves as the Army's primary venue for large-scale exercises simulating war conditions. These rotations are intended as a final validation for units before they are deemed ready for potential combat deployments.

Army figures indicate that 31 soldiers died in training accidents in 2025, with ground incidents, often involving military vehicles, accounting for a significant portion. Since 2020, the Army has averaged approximately two vehicle-related fatalities per month, a number that has decreased from previous decades when training demands were higher.

Investigations into past fatal training incidents have frequently identified contributing factors such as sleep deprivation, insufficient training, and inexperience among leaders overseeing high-risk exercises. Some reports have noted instances where commanders in charge of training had recently assumed their roles.

Bonsey's death highlights ongoing concerns regarding safety protocols during intensive military training exercises, particularly those conducted under challenging conditions like limited visibility. The investigation aims to determine the specific circumstances that led to this fatal incident.