Trigger Warning: This article mentions tragic details about accidents and death
In a recent heartbreaking tragedy, a young couple from the state of Louisiana died in two separate car crashes just hours apart on the morning of Friday, May 16, 2025. Alexus Lee, 25, and her fiancé, John “JR” Collins, had a beautiful family with their 4-year-old son, Gabriel. The couple had a promising future ahead as the pair was preparing for a February 2026 wedding and settling into a new home.
As informed by the Louisiana police, the devastating crash took place when Alexus Lee was driving a 2013 Toyota Highlander north on LA 67 at 2 a.m., and then she lost control of the vehicle. Her SUV veered off the road, struck a culvert, and overturned. The 25-year-old was declared dead at the scene.
As per The Shade Room, Alexus Lee was alone when the incident took place, but the authorities informed her fiancé, John “JR” Collins, about it. Sadly, merely under two hours later, around 3:45 a.m., JR was en route to the crash site when he, too, was involved in a fatal accident, as per a report.
Police say he was driving a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro southbound on LA 67 in East Feliciana Parish when he failed to navigate a curve, causing his car to leave the roadway and hit a tree. Even though he was rescued from the car, he passed away. Reports confirmed that neither of the deceased individuals was wearing a seatbelt at the time of driving, and a routine toxicology test was conducted in Alexus’ case as per standard protocol.
As the couple’s respective families are mourning the unexpected death, they are focused on supporting their young son, Gabriel, through this unthinkable time. Meanwhile, JR Collins’s mother, Sandra Collins, spoke about the immense love and warmth the couple shared. “He loved Alexus, as did everyone who knew her. To know her was to love her,” she added.
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Similarly, Arthur Collins added, “I’m going to miss both of them and try to find the strength to carry on.” On the other hand, Alexus’ sister Dominque Lee shared her pain and said that losing her is a different feeling, and a part of her seems gone.
Speaking about young kid Gabriel, JR Collins’s mother, Sandra, said, “He understands what happened. He’s having trouble comprehending that we can’t talk to them or see them, but he knows they’re asleep and with God.” A joint funeral is set to be held on May 21, as both families come together to say goodbye and honour the love Alexus and JR shared.
As per Pelicanlaw, motor vehicles in Louisiana remain a frequent reality. Several reasons, such as distracted driving (using a phone while driving, eating, or interacting with others), can be fatal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that thousands of lives are lost annually across the U.S. due to distracted driving alone.
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Other possible reasons for sudden crashes include driving under the influence of a substance; overspeeding also adds to the list. Louisiana’s weather is marked by heavy rainfall and hurricanes, which often create dangerous driving conditions. In addition, the state also has bad roads with potholes, uneven pavement, and unclear signage, which play a significant role in traffic accidents.
As citizens, all we can do is take necessary steps from our end to minimize the risk of brutal accidents; while nothing is certain in life but death, being careful and aware is in our control.
