Fort Hood Soldier who attempted to kill colleague sentenced to more than 17 years in prison

FORT HOOD, Texas – An Army private who purposely crashed his car in an attempt to kill a fellow Soldier pleaded guilty to attempted unpremeditated murder during his court-martial Oct. 1 at the Lawrence Williams Judicial Center.

Pvt. James D. Clarkston, 20, an Army cook assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, was sentenced by the military judge to 17 years and eight months in prison and a dishonorable discharge from the Army.

In addition to the attempted unpremeditated murder charge, Clarkston also pleaded guilty to wrongful use of marijuana, failure to obey a general order, and damaging non-military property.

Clarkston was reported by the victim, a fellow cook in his unit, to command leadership for being high at work.

As a result, leadership removed Clarkston from duty and conducted a Probable Cause Urinalysis which revealed he had been using prohibited substances.

Shortly afterwards on Dec. 15, 2025, Clarkston was in his vehicle with the victim when he confronted him about the report to leadership. Upset that he’d been reported, Clarkston began driving recklessly through Fort Hood at a high rate of speed, running through stop signs and crosswalks, ultimately crashing his car into a utility pole with the intent to kill himself and the victim. The crash caused the vehicle to roll over multiple times, hitting several cars in a nearby parking lot.

Fort Hood Military Police and emergency services responded to the incident, transporting the victim and Clarkston to the Carl R. Darnell Army Medical Center where they were treated for minor injuries.

The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division initiated an investigation and interviewed multiple witnesses, as well as the military police who responded to the crash. They told agents that Clarkston confessed immediately after the incident to purposely crashing the vehicle. This was confirmed by Army CID agents when reconstructing the crash scene.

“Pvt. Clarkston took intentional acts aimed at ending the life of another Soldier. The fact that the victim survived is a miracle, but it does not excuse Pvt. Clarkston’s actions and intent,” said Capt. Mark L. Wegzyn, prosecutor, Fifth Circuit, Army Office of Special Trial Counsel.

“This sentence sends a clear and unmistakable message that unlawful violence cannot, and will not, be tolerated in the United States Army. We are incredibly grateful for the bravery of the victim in this case for coming forward and seeing the process through to the end.”

“This case demonstrates why a thorough investigation is essential,” said Special Agent in Charge Lane Allen, Army CID’s Central Texas Field Office.

“What may initially appear to be a traffic accident or isolated incident can reveal deliberate criminal conduct when examined closely. Violence against a fellow Soldier is unacceptable, and Army CID remains committed to following the facts and providing the evidence necessary to seek accountability.”

Clarkston will serve his prison sentence at the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

This case was investigated by Army CID’s Central Texas Field Office and the Fort Hood Military Police. It was prosecuted by Wegzyn and Capt. Calvin Maynard, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

About the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel: The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel is composed of specially trained military lawyers, legal professionals and support staff responsible for the expert prosecution of murder, sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, kidnapping and other serious criminal offenses. Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., OSTC has eight regional headquarters that oversee 28 field offices located worldwide, including locations in Europe and Korea. For more information visit www.army.mil/ostc.

To Report a Crime: If you would like to report a crime, have information about a crime, or have been the subject or survivor of a crime, you can submit anonymous tips to Army CID at www.p3tips.com/armycid.

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