A U.S. Army paratrooper assigned to Fort Bragg was killed early Sunday morning in a single-vehicle crash in Harnett County, North Carolina, according to state authorities and Army officials.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol identified the deceased as Triston Amarion Pippins, 22, of Mount Pleasant, Texas.
A spokesperson for Fort Bragg confirmed to local media that Pippins was an active-duty Soldier assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. He was a parachute rigger and had been assigned to the division since 2022.
According to investigators with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, troopers responded to a single-car collision at the intersection of Nursery Road and Overhills Road in the Anderson Creek area of Harnett County during the early morning hours Sunday.
Troopers said a 2019 Hyundai Sonata was traveling southbound on Nursery Road when the driver failed to stop at a stop sign at the T-intersection. The vehicle ran off the roadway, struck a highway sign, traveled into a wooded area, and collided with a tree before catching fire.
Pippins was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Investigators stated that speed was a contributing factor in the crash. Whether impairment played a role has not been determined, and the investigation remains ongoing.
In the hours following the crash, friends and fellow Soldiers shared tributes to Pippins on social media, remembering him as supportive, generous, and deeply loyal to those around him.
One friend described Pippins as “one of the funniest people I’ve ever known,” recalling how he helped with major life milestones, including purchasing a first car and setting up an apartment.
Another post announced a planned memorial run in his honor, with participants set to run 2.2 miles to commemorate his 22 years of life, describing him as “always our brother.”
While some social media posts referenced a higher rank, the Army has not confirmed any rank beyond identifying Pippins as a sergeant assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division.
The State Highway Patrol has not released additional details regarding toxicology results or contributing circumstances beyond speed. No other vehicles were involved.
The Salty Soldier will continue to monitor the investigation and update this report if further official information is released.
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