--- title: "Army colonel dies after vehicle falls on him while helping change a tire" description: "Army Col. Gregory S. Townsend died Monday from injuries he sustained while trying to help a Virginia motorist change a tire, according to Army officials at Fort Lee." date: "2019-04-24" modified: "2019-04-24" authors: - name: "Paul Szoldra" job_title: "Editor" link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/paul-szoldra/" url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/townsend-soldier-tire-change/" categories: - "Army" - "Military Branches" - "News" - "Tech & Tactics" - "Vehicles" tags: - "Northern Command" --- # Army colonel dies after vehicle falls on him while helping change a tire ![]() Army Col. Gregory S. Townsend died Monday from injuries he sustained while trying to help a Virginia motorist change a tire, according to Army officials at Fort Lee. Townsend, the commander of 23rd Quartermaster Brigade at the Army's Quartermaster School, pulled off Route 460 on April 18 to help a motorist with a tire change. The vehicle fell on him as he was finishing up, officials [said]() in a statement. He was flown to VCU Medical Center in Richmond "where he received treatment until his death" on April 22, the statement added. Townsend, 46, joined the Army in 1996 and had deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan, [according]() to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. His previous assignments included tours with the 82nd Airborne Division, 10th Special Forces Group, and Africa Command, [according]() to his LinkedIn profile. "The loss of Col. Greg Townsend is devastating for his family and the Army. He was a dedicated leader and the most genuine man you could meet," Brig. Gen. Douglas M. McBride Jr., 55th Quartermaster General and commandant of the Quartermaster School told the Times-Dispatch. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Greg's family and friends during this very difficult time. His legacy as a servant leader will live on in the hearts and minds of all soldiers that he has served with and led." Townsend has been the commander of the 23rd QM BDE since July 2017. ## Author Paul Szoldra was the Editor in Chief of Task & Purpose from October 2018 until August 2022. Since joining T&P, he has led a talented team of writers, editors, and creators who produce military journalism reaching millions of readers each month. He also founded and edits [Duffel Blog](), a popular satirical newsletter for the military. Before becoming a journalist in 2013, he served as a Marine infantryman in Afghanistan, Korea, and other areas of the Pacific. His eyes still go up every time a helicopter from Camp Pendleton flies over his office in Southern California. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [LinkedIn]() [Facebook]() [Instagram]()