Officials have identified the 23-year-old soldier killed in a Sunday car accident while driving back to Fort Drum, New York, according to a Tuesday release from the 10th Mountain Division.
Spc. Jennifer Kipybida was killed as the vehicle, driven by Spc. Miles Wilson-King, also 23, swerved into oncoming traffic, before striking a tree and a home, according to a Sunday release from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.
“The female passenger was transported from the scene to Rome Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead as a result of her injuries,” the release said.
Wilson-King refused treatment at the scene, the release said.
Kipybida was a human resources specialist with 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Spc. Kipybida,” said Lt. Col. Scott Wence, the battalion’s commander. “Spc. Kipybida always had a smile and a positive word to say. She made the battalion and everyone around her better with her constant and contagious positive attitude. I never saw her without a smile on her face.”
Both soldiers were wearing their seatbelts and though the investigation is ongoing, the sheriff’s release said, it did not appear that drugs or alcohol were involved.
Kipybida enlisted in October 2014 and had been stationed at Fort Drum since early 2015, according to the Army release. Her awards include the Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Marksmanship Qualification Badge Expert-Rifle.
Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.
