US service member killed in vehicle accident in Kuwait

A U.S. service member was killed and two others were injured in a vehicle accident in Kuwait earlier this week, the Army announced Wednesday.

The “non-combat related vehicle accident” happened Monday near Camp Buehring during a routine troop movement at approximately 8 a.m. local time, according to a service statement.

Staff Sgt. Anthony Bermudez, 28, from Dallas, Texas, was killed while the two injured troops, including the driver of the vehicle, were taken to U.S. Military Hospital – Kuwait. The driver was later discharged Tuesday after treatment for nonserious injuries and the injured passenger is listed as in stable condition.

All three were assigned to Area Support Group – Kuwait.

The incident is under investigation and the names of the injured soldiers were withheld as is policy.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Bermudez,” Lt. Col. Randy McClendon, Base Support Battalion – Kuwait commander, said in the statement. “Anthony was a vital asset to our team, a dedicated professional, and his service will not be forgotten.”

Bermudez, a small arms and artillery repairer non-commissioned officer, enlisted in the Army in 2011 and arrived at Kuwait in June 2020 for his first overseas tour.

More than 13,000 troops are stationed in Kuwait, which shares a border with Iraq and acts as a location for U.S. forces to shore up defenses against Iranian proxies as well as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.