Camp Pendleton News: 1 Marine Dead, 6 Injured In Training Accident

A light armored vehicle rolled over during training at Camp Pendleton, California, on Thursday morning, killing one Marine and injuring six others.

The fatal accident reportedly took place around 9 a.m. local time (12 p.m. EDT) Thursday and involved the Marines with the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

The 1st Marine Division Press Office released a statement saying the six injured Marines were rushed to a hospital and none of them were described as serious. The name of the Marine who died was not released. Officials were investigating the incident and the circumstances of the accident remained unclear.

“This is a tragic event and our thoughts are with the family, friends and the unit at this difficult time,” the 1st Marine Division said in the statement.

The incident comes a few days after a Maine died after his tactical vehicle rolled over during training at the Camp Pendleton. Sgt. Joshua Braica from Sacramento was a critical skills operator with 1st Marine Raider Battalion. He was driving a MRZR tactical vehicle April 12 when the incident took place. He was rushed to Scripps Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to injuries the following day. Two other Marine Raiders were also injured in the incident.

Camp Pendleton, which was set up in 1942, is home to several Navy units including the I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), 1st Marine Division and I MEF Information. It is the largest expeditionary training facility in the West Coast, encompassing over 125,000 acres.

According to its official website, “Camp Pendleton is a superior Marine Corps training base expanding training opportunities, maximizing allocated resources, modernizing base infrastructure and providing superior service and support.”