As the age-old Army saying goes, “stay alert, stay alive!” But a civilian driver is finding that out the hard way, after hitting a tank outside Fort Stewart, Georgia Tuesday.
“The SUV sustained significant damage, while the tank was only scratched on one of its rear tail lights,” reads Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield Facebook status.
“Thankfully, no one was injured in the accident.”
The tank crew was minding its own business during an exercise around 7:00 pm crossing Georgia Highway 119 when the completely un-tactical Nissan Armada drove through road guards colliding with the heavily armored vehicle.
“Please be alert and watch for the road guards and flashing tank crossing signs, as well as the 70-ton tanks that will only be scratched if hit by a car,” continues the Facebook post.
Officials declined to say what kind of tank it was, but it’s safe to say it’s probably an M1 Abrams tank, weighing at least 134,000 pounds.
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The U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division is conducting “Marne Focus,” an exercise running through March 15.
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Fort Stewart issued a travel advisory Tuesday urging drivers in the area to find other routes or meet the wrath of “military vehicles crossing highways—including 70-ton main battle tanks—at any time, day or night.”
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For comparison, 70 tons is about the weight of 10 African elephants, the advisory added.