AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — An airman assigned to the 31st Security Forces Squadron died following a single-car accident in the town of Roveredo in Piano, just south of the base.
Airman 1st Class Fred D. Abrams IV, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene by Italian rescue workers at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday, according to multiple Italian media reports. His car struck telephone and light poles after leaving the road and then crashed into a home’s perimeter wall, according to the Italian news site fanpage.it.
“Fred’s death is a tragic loss,” Lt. Col. Jesse Goens, the squadron commander, said in a 31st Fighter Wing statement. “Our Defender Family with the 31st Security Forces at Aviano is deeply saddened by his passing. Our thoughts are with Fred’s family, friends and co-workers. We are doing everything possible to support them while we navigate this difficult time together.”
Abrams joined the Air Force in April 2019, the wing statement said.
Italian police are investigating the cause of the accident, the wing said.
Abrams was from Columbus, Ga., and a graduate of Hardaway High School, his Facebook page said.
One of Abrams’ last Facebook posts was a Mother’s Day tribute to his mother and grandmother, who he called “beautiful and tremendous creations of God that have made my life worth to live.”
The page has since been turned into a memorial, with friends and family sharing their memories, and some well-wishers who never knew Abrams thanking him for his service.