Marine Recruit Dies After 1 1/2-Mile Run

A Marine recruit died Friday after collapsing upon completion of a run to determine his fitness level, a Marine Corps spokesman said.

Johnnie R. Wilson Jr., 29, of San Antonio was pronounced dead about 8:05 a.m. at the UC San Diego Medical Center, the Marine Corps said. The cause of death was under investigation.

It was Wilson’s first week at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. The 1 1/2-mile run was part of a fitness test to determine whether the recruit met the necessary requirements to begin recruit training. Although the run is self-paced, recruits have to complete it in a certain amount of time to continue their training.

Other recruits died under similar circumstances last year.

Jeffrey W. Adams of Yakima, Wash., died of a congenital heart problem. Mario A. Hill of Chicago died after completing the 1 1/2-mile run.