The U.S. Army has launched an investigation into the tragic death of a 34-year-old sergeant from New Jersey, who honed his skills at Fort Drum in Jefferson County. The sergeant, Terell Seales, lost his life in a vehicle accident while training in Germany at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center located in Hohenfels.

Sgt. Seales was serving as a Motor Transport Operator with the 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team “Strike” of the 101st Airborne Division. His military service began in 2021, and this was his second deployment. Throughout his career, Seales had been honored with numerous accolades, including two Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, and the Army Service Ribbon.

Col. Duke Reim, reflecting on Seales’ character, remarked, “Sgt. Seales was an exceptional leader and soldier who inspired others to give their very best.” He also expressed gratitude for the swift response from the Army’s German counterparts and assured that Seales’ family would be kept informed with a thorough report as the investigation unfolds.

Before this deployment, Sgt. Seales had served in Lithuania in 2023. His unit was actively engaged in supporting NATO forces as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a mission detailed by Task & Purpose. Since 2024, he had been stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky.

Reim praised the Army’s German allies for their response and said Seales’ family would receive a report while the incident is under investigation.

He was previously deployed to Lithuania in 2023. His unit is in Europe supporting NATO forces involved in Operation Atlantic Resolve, according to Task & Purpose. He’d been assigned to Kentucky’s Fort Campbell since 2024.

The Garden State lost a 22-year-old soldier to a training mishap in June when Neil Edara was killed in a land navigation exercise. The Army ROTC cadet died at Kentucky’s Fort Knox.