YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — Army officials have identified the Camp Carroll soldier killed in a one-car Veterans Day accident as a 35-year-old nuclear, biological and chemical specialist.
Sgt. Qokolo D. Ntsasa was killed early Tuesday in a single-vehicle automobile crash on Highway 4 near Waegwan.
Three other soldiers were injured in the crash, which occurred on a slick road.
While Korean National Police and U.S. military authorities still are investigating the incident’s cause, Command Sgt. Major Troy Welch said on a Wednesday radio program that alcohol was involved.
Who was driving the vehicle remains unclear.
A memorial service was held Thursday on Camp Carroll for Ntsasa, said Maj. Thomas Shrader, 19th Theater Support Command spokesman. Ntsasa was assigned to the 267th Chemical Company, 23rd Chemical Battalion headquartered at Camp Carroll.
Born in Nigeria, Ntsasa emigrated to the United States, entering the Army in December 1995; he served at Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Stewart, Ga., before coming to South Korea, an Army news release said.
His career honors include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Marksmanship Badge.
He is survived by his wife, Rochelle, and sons Qawi, 4, and Elijah, 3.
Also involved in the incident, the Army said, were 23rd Chemical Battalion members Spc. Matthew Collum and Pfc. Kim Sung-han, a Korean Augmentee to the U.S. Army. Both suffered broken legs, the release said. Pvt. Jody Barlow escaped with minor scrapes and scratches.
A fifth passenger, identified by South Korean police as a Russian, also suffered minor injuries in the crash, a Waegwan Hospital spokesperson said Wednesday.
