Military officials on Saturday released eight names of the nine soldiers who died during a training exercise in Texas last week when a military vehicle flipped over in a flooded area.
Fort Hood identified the soldiers as Staff Sgt. Miguel Colonvasquez, 38, of New York; Spc. Christine Armstrong, 27, of California; Pfc. Brandon Banner, 22, and Pfc. Zachery Fuller, 23, of Florida; Pvt. Isaac Deleon, 19, of Texas; Pvt. Eddy Gates, 20, of North Carolina; Pvt. Tysheena James, 21, of New Jersey and Cadet Mitchell Winey, 21, of Indiana.
Descriptions of each of the soldiers and their military background were posted to Fort Hood’s Facebook page late Saturday evening, and the ninth soldier’s name will be released when family members have formally been notified.
The fatal accident occurred last Thursday around 11:30 a.m. at Fort Hood where severe rainstorms have led to historic flooding throughout Southeast and Central Texas. Five of the soldiers’ bodies were recovered by emergency responders on Thursday while four more were discovered on Friday. Three additional soldiers were hospitalized for injuries but have since returned to duty.
An investigation into the accident by military officials from the Army Combat Readiness Center in Fort Rucker, Ala. is ongoing.
