By Nicole Burns
A local Buford family is mourning the loss of their son who was killed in a training accident on January 14, 2019, in California. In a release from Fort Hood, the training accident took place at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. The accident took the life of 22-year-old combat engineer, Spc. Octavious Deshon Lakes Jr. of Buford, Georgia.
According to the Army Times, three more soldiers were injured in the accident. Two soldiers were injured and treated at the training center’s on post hospital, but another soldier with more serious injuries was airlifted to Lona Linda, California for extensive treatment.
Spc. Lakes joined the Army in March 2017. He was stationed at Fort Hood since June 2017. Lakes was assigned to 3rd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division where he won several awards. Those awards include two Army Achievement Medals, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
“On behalf of Greywolf soldiers and families, Command Sgt. Maj. [Alfred] Ronneburg and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Spc. Octavious Lakes. His dedication, professionalism, and spirit will be missed, but never forgotten,” Col. Kevin Capra, commander of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, said in the release from Fort Hood.
According to 11Alive, Lakes’ mother, Addie Hayes said her son is at a mortuary in San Bernardino, California and has yet to be told when her son will be flown home to be laid to rest. Lakes leaves behind a fiance, mother, and family.
