In a heart-wrenching tragedy that has shaken the state of Louisiana, an engaged couple lost their lives just hours apart in two separate car accidents on the early morning of Friday, May 16. The devastating events left behind their 4-year-old son and a family struggling to cope with an unbearable loss.

Almost a year earlier, Alexus Lee had taken to Facebook to share a joyful milestone: her 25th birthday and her engagement to John “JR” Collins, 35. She posted photos of her engagement ring, proudly announcing her excitement about their future together. “I love you through good and bad times, through thick and thin,” she wrote, tagging her fiancé in a June 7 post. “I can’t wait to be your lifelong partner!!!! Mrs. Collins to be BABBY.” Her words were filled with love and anticipation for the life they were building together.

Their family and friends were overjoyed at the time, flooding the comments with congratulatory messages and well wishes. The couple, parents to a sweet young boy named Gabriel, had recently bought their first home and were enthusiastically planning their wedding, which was set for February 2026. Their love was genuine, their dreams aligned, and their path forward looked bright.

But no one could have imagined how quickly that happiness would be stolen away.

Around 2 a.m. on May 16, tragedy struck. Lee, a recent graduate of Southern University who worked as a teacher at East Feliciana STEAM Academy, was driving along LA-67 in East Baton Rouge Parish when her SUV left the road, hit a culvert, and overturned. She was not wearing a seatbelt, and Louisiana State Police confirmed that she died at the scene. The authorities stated that toxicology tests were pending, so any potential impairment could not yet be determined.

Shortly after the crash, police reached out to inform Collins of the accident involving his fiancée. In shock and grief, he rushed to be with the woman he loved. But fate dealt another cruel blow. Just before 3:45 a.m., Collins was speeding southbound in his 2016 Chevrolet Camaro when he lost control of the vehicle on a curve. The car struck a tree, and he was ejected from the vehicle. Like Lee, he was not wearing a seatbelt. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Collins, a truck driver by trade, had followed in the footsteps of Lee’s late father, who shared the same profession. In a cruel twist of fate, both Collins and Lee died in separate crashes within a span of fewer than two hours, leaving behind a child who now faces life without his parents.

The community responded with an outpouring of grief and disbelief. Social media was flooded with emotional tributes from friends, family, and former students. One friend shared, “Literally the sweetest soul anyone could meet. I’m sorry we didn’t have more time together, you left us too soon.” They posted photos from the funeral, remembering her radiant smile and unmatched energy. Another friend wrote, “You had the most lively smile and spirit I can’t even fathom it not existing anymore.”

Collins’ sister added her voice to the tributes, writing, “…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 teacher of Lee’s added, “People always speak on the impact teachers have on students, but we never really talk about how much students mean to us. I’m so sorry baby girl. Your light will be greatly missed!”

Amid the sorrow, the families of both Lee and Collins are coming together to support Gabriel, the young boy who now carries the legacy of his parents’ love. In an interview, Collins’ mother, Sandra, explained how the families were working together to give him a sense of stability and comfort. “He understands what happened, and he’s just having a little problem comprehending that we can’t talk to them. We can’t see them, but he understands that they are asleep and are with God,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion.

Sandra emphasized that the two families are united in their mission to give Gabriel a good life. “Even though they left a child behind, we have a great support system. The two families will blend, and we will do whatever it takes to give him a good life.”

Arthur, Collins’ father, also spoke through tears, saying, “I love them and I’m gonna miss both of them and I’m gonna find the strength to go ahead.” He emphasized how much his son loved Alexus, describing her as someone everyone loved the moment they met her. “To know her was to love her,” Sandra added.

In just a few short hours, two bright lights were extinguished. A couple who had built a life together, who had looked forward to a future filled with love, laughter, and milestones, were taken too soon. Their son, Gabriel, now stands as a living reminder of the powerful bond they shared—a bond that even death could not break.

This heartbreaking story is a sobering reminder of how fragile life can be. It’s a call to cherish every moment, to wear seatbelts, to drive safely, and to never take our loved ones for granted. As the community continues to mourn, Gabriel’s smile—so much like his parents’—offers a flicker of hope and a reason for the families to keep moving forward.

Let us know your thoughts about this touching and tragic story. Please share it with your friends to help honor the memory of Alexus Lee and John “JR” Collins, and to show support for young Gabriel and the families carrying this unimaginable grief.