Tragedy Strikes Louisiana: Engaged Couple Dies Hours Apart, Leaving Behind Their Young Son
In a heartbreaking tragedy that has deeply affected the Louisiana community, an engaged couple lost their lives in two separate car accidents just hours apart on the early morning of Friday, May 16. Their sudden passing leaves behind their 4-year-old son and grieving families struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss.
Nearly a year ago, Alexus Lee joyfully shared on Facebook the celebration of her 25th birthday alongside the announcement of her engagement to John “JR” Collins, 35. Proudly displaying her engagement ring, she expressed her love and excitement for the future they were building together. “I love you through good and bad times, through thick and thin,” she wrote on June 7, tagging JR. “I can’t wait to be your lifelong partner!!!! Mrs. Collins to be BABBY.” Their friends and family celebrated the happy news with an outpouring of congratulations and support.
Alexus and JR, parents to a young boy named Gabriel, had recently purchased their first home and were eagerly planning a wedding scheduled for February 2026. Their bond was strong, their dreams united, and their future full of hope.
But fate had other plans.
In the early hours of May 16, tragedy struck. Alexus, a Southern University graduate and dedicated teacher at East Feliciana STEAM Academy, was driving along LA-67 in East Baton Rouge Parish when her SUV left the road, struck a culvert, and overturned. Authorities confirmed she was not wearing a seatbelt and passed away at the scene. Toxicology results are still pending.
Shortly after, authorities contacted JR to inform him of the accident involving Alexus. In shock and grief, he rushed to her side. Tragically, just before 3:45 a.m., JR lost control of his 2016 Chevrolet Camaro while speeding southbound on a curve. His car struck a tree, and he was ejected from the vehicle. Like Alexus, he was not wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene.
JR, a truck driver by profession, followed in the footsteps of Alexus’s late father, who had also worked in trucking. The heartbreaking coincidence that both died in separate crashes within two hours leaves their son Gabriel facing life without his loving parents.
The community’s response has been one of overwhelming grief and shock. Social media has been flooded with tributes from friends, family, and former students remembering Alexus’s kindness and vibrant spirit. One friend wrote, “Literally the sweetest soul anyone could meet. I’m sorry we didn’t have more time together, you left us too soon.” Another added, “You had the most lively smile and spirit—I can’t even fathom it not existing anymore.”
JR’s sister shared her sorrow, saying, “…you were the best and I’m surely going to miss you. They just don’t make them like you. Rest easy and keep loving on my brother up there, you know we got Gabe down here.”
A former colleague of Alexus reflected on the deep impact she had as a teacher: “People always talk about the impact teachers have on students, but we don’t often discuss how much students mean to us. I’m so sorry, baby girl. Your light will be greatly missed.”
In the wake of this tragedy, both families are coming together to support young Gabriel. Collins’ mother, Sandra, spoke with emotion about their united commitment to provide Gabriel with love and stability. “He understands what happened, but it’s hard for him to comprehend that we can’t talk to them or see them. He knows they are asleep and with God,” she said. “Though they left a child behind, we have a great support system. Our families will blend, and we will do whatever it takes to give him a good life.”
JR’s father, Arthur, also expressed his grief and love through tears: “I love them both and I’m going to miss them. I’m going to find the strength to keep going.” Sandra added, “To know Alexus was to love her—everyone loved her instantly.”
In just a few short hours, two bright lives were lost. Alexus and JR had planned a lifetime of shared love and milestones. Their son Gabriel now carries the living legacy of their love—a powerful reminder that even in loss, family endures.
This tragic story serves as a poignant reminder of life’s fragility. It urges us to cherish every moment, to always wear seatbelts, to drive carefully, and to hold our loved ones close. Amid the sorrow, Gabriel’s smile—so much like his parents’—offers a glimmer of hope and strength for the future.
Please share this story to honor the memory of Alexus Lee and John “JR” Collins, and to show support for Gabriel and the families facing this profound loss.
