In a heartbreaking tragedy that has deeply affected Louisiana, an engaged couple lost their lives just hours apart in two separate car accidents during the early morning of Friday, May 16. Their sudden deaths have left behind their 4-year-old son and devastated families struggling to come to terms with the immense loss.
Nearly a year earlier, Alexus Lee shared a joyful milestone on Facebook—celebrating her 25th birthday and announcing her engagement to John “JR” Collins, 35. Proudly displaying her engagement ring, she expressed her excitement about their future together, writing, “I love you through good and bad times, through thick and thin. I can’t wait to be your lifelong partner!!!! Mrs. Collins to be BABBY.” Their love was clear, and the couple was eagerly planning their wedding for February 2026 while raising their young son, Gabriel, in their newly purchased home.
Tragically, happiness turned to sorrow on May 16. Around 2 a.m., Lee, a Southern University graduate and teacher at East Feliciana STEAM Academy, lost control of her SUV on LA-67 in East Baton Rouge Parish. The vehicle veered off the road, struck a culvert, and flipped over. She was not wearing a seatbelt and died at the scene. Toxicology tests are still pending to determine if impairment was a factor.
Soon after, Collins was informed of the accident involving his fiancée. In shock, he hurried to the scene, only to meet a similar fate. Shortly before 3:45 a.m., while driving his 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, he lost control on a curve, crashed into a tree, and was ejected from the car. Like Lee, he was not wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Collins, a truck driver by profession like Lee’s late father, died less than two hours after Lee, leaving their son Gabriel without both parents. The community has responded with an outpouring of grief and tributes from friends, family, and former students, remembering Alexus’s radiant spirit and Collins’s loving nature.
The two families are now united in supporting Gabriel, aiming to provide him with stability and love during this incredibly difficult time. Collins’ mother shared how Gabriel understands their absence but struggles with the reality that he cannot see or speak to his parents, believing they are at peace with God. She emphasized the strong support network between both families, ensuring Gabriel will have the best life possible.
Collins’ father also expressed his sorrow but his determination to find strength, describing Alexus as someone loved by all who knew her. The couple’s untimely deaths extinguished two bright lights, leaving their son as a living reminder of their love.
This tragic story serves as a stark reminder of life’s fragility, the importance of safety measures like seatbelt use, and the preciousness of every moment with loved ones. As the community mourns, Gabriel’s smile shines as a beacon of hope and resilience.
Please share this story to honor the memory of Alexus Lee and John “JR” Collins and to support Gabriel and the families facing this unimaginable grief.
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