A 10th Mountain Division soldier was killed Monday in Iraq, according to a Fort Drum press release.

Sgt. Timothy M. Smith, 25, of the 4th Brigade Combat Team based out of Fort Polk, La., was killed in Baghdad when the vehicle he was riding in was hit by an improvised explosive device during a route clearance patrol.

A native of South Lake Tahoe, Calif., Sgt. Smith was a member of the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion and served as a combat engineer noncommissioned officer.

He joined the Army in April 2004 and was assigned to the 4th brigade at Fort Polk in September 2004 after completing basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

He deployed with his unit to Iraq in November. He previously served with the 4th Brigade in Afghanistan from March to November 2006.

His awards and decorations include a Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal and Army Combat Badge.

He is survived by his wife and son at Fort Polk, his father, of Reno, Nev., and his mother, of South Lake Tahoe.