A Navy clinical psychologist died earlier this month after a motorcycle crash in Mexico, according to Navy records and officials.
Cmdr. Erin M. Simmons, 42, died Aug. 21 after an off-duty mishap in Ensenada, a Mexican coastal city about two hours’ drive from San Diego, where records show she was stationed.
What exactly happened to Simmons remains unclear.
Naval Medical Center San Diego spokesman Mike Alvarez said Thursday that the command was awaiting a report from the local police department that responded to the incident.
Mexican authorities did not respond to a query from Navy Times.
The Navy is conducting a “standard administrative investigation” of the sort that is undertaken with the death of any active-duty service member, Alvarez said.
“Naval Medical Center San Diego mourns the loss of Cmdr. Erin Simmons,” Alvarez said. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.”
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Simmons’ home of record is New York, and she commissioned into the Navy in 2003, according to personnel records.
The medical service corps officer put on commander in December.
Before arriving in San Diego in October 2015, she served with the 1st Marine Raider Support Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California.
Other career tours included stops at North Carolina’s Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point and 3rd Force Service Support Group at Camp Lejeune.
Her awards and decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal and two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals.
Simmons also received an Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, according to personnel records.
Geoff is the managing editor of Military Times, but he still loves writing stories. He covered Iraq and Afghanistan extensively and was a reporter at the Chicago Tribune. He welcomes any and all kinds of tips at geoffz@militarytimes.com.
