A U.S. Army soldier was killed in a traffic accident on Sept. 30, when another driver failed to stop at a red light and collided with the soldier’s motorcycle.
Spc. Samuel D. Birmingham, 21, was riding a 2014 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle in El Paso, Texas when the crash occurred. Aaron Lopez, 32, was driving a Subaru Impreza when he failed to stop at a red light and crashed into Birmingham, El Paso police said. The collision occured at the 7800 block of Gateway Blvd East, approaching the intersection of Giles.
Police said the crash was caused by Lopez’s failure to stop at a red light and “operating the vehicle at a high rate of speed.” An investigation is underway and police expect to file charges against Lopez.
Police said Birmingham was wearing a helmet and protective vest but was ejected from the motorcycle and died at the scene. The collision was so severe that Birmingham’s motorcycle fracture into multiple pieces. Lopez was also injured in the accident and was taken to an area hospital where he was listed by police in stable condition.
Birmingham, a native of Boron, California, served as unit supply specialist assigned to 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, according to his service records, reported by Army Times.
Birmingham was remembered as promising soldier.
1-37 Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Salvador Zuniga, in a prepared statement, said, “Samuel was a treasured member of our team, a fast riser within the ranks and destined to be a leader within our Army. Sam, was a young man full of life with many friends here in the Bandit Battalion.”
“Our thoughts are with his Family and Friends in the time of their grief and we will do our best to honor his service and his memory in the coming days,” Zuniga added.
Birmingham’s decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.
