Camp Pendleton Marine killed in vehicle mishap identified as Pfc. Tanner F. Rubio
Pfc. Tanner F. Rubio, 21, of Dixon, California, was killed Wednesday afternoon at Camp Pendleton in a tactical vehicle mishap during a training evolution; Rubio was an infantry rifleman with I Marine Expeditionary Force serving in a battalion of the 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and had joined the Marine Corps in January 2025. Maj. Gen. Thomas Savage honored Rubio’s service and the loss across the division, officials said the accident was not related to the Steel Knight exercise, and a local state senator offered condolences and said she will monitor the investigation.
📌 Key Facts
- Pfc. Tanner F. Rubio, 21, of Dixon, California, was identified as the Marine killed in the incident.
- The death resulted from a "tactical vehicle mishap" that occurred Wednesday afternoon at Camp Pendleton.
- Officials said the accident was not related to the Steel Knight exercise.
- Rubio served with I Marine Expeditionary Force as an infantry rifleman in a battalion of the 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and had joined the Marine Corps in January 2025.
- Maj. Gen. Thomas Savage issued a statement honoring Rubio and noting the loss across the 1st Marine Division.
- A local state senator offered condolences and said she will monitor the investigation into the mishap.
📊 Relevant Data
From 2014 to 2019, motor vehicle accidents were the leading cause of death for non-Hispanic Black active duty U.S. Army soldiers, with 100 deaths reported; in 2022, non-Hispanic Black soldiers constituted 20.3% of the U.S. Army population.
U.S. Army Mortality Surveillance in Active Duty Soldiers, 2014–2019 — health.mil
From 2014 to 2019, motor vehicle accidents were the leading cause of death for U.S. Army soldiers aged 17-24.
U.S. Army Mortality Surveillance in Active Duty Soldiers, 2014–2019 — health.mil
In 2022, 265 U.S. service members died in accidents.
Understanding the Shocking Death Toll in Military Vehicle Rollovers — newamerica.org
In December 2023, one Marine was killed and 14 others were injured in an amphibious combat vehicle rollover during training at Camp Pendleton.
Marine killed in vehicle rollover during Camp Pendleton training — latimes.com
In July 2020, eight Marines and one sailor were killed when their amphibious assault vehicle sank during training off Camp Pendleton; a 2021 investigation attributed the incident to a chain of failures including poor training.
Investigation: 7-Month-Long 'Chain of Failure' Led to 9 Killed in AAV Sinking — news.usni.org
📰 Sources (2)
- Marine identified as Pfc. Tanner F. Rubio, 21, of Dixon, California.
- Served with I Marine Expeditionary Force; infantry rifleman in a battalion within the 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division; joined the Marine Corps in January 2025.
- Statement from Maj. Gen. Thomas Savage honoring Rubio and noting the loss across 1st Marine Division.
- Officials reiterate the accident was not related to the Steel Knight exercise.
- Accident described as a 'tactical vehicle mishap' occurring Wednesday afternoon at Camp Pendleton; local state senator issued condolences and said she will monitor the investigation.