Engaged couple die hours apart in separate crashes - leaving behind young son
Alexus Lee, 25, and John 'JR' Collins, 35, had just recently purchased a home together and were due to get married next February.
But tragedy struck, and the couple were killed in separate crashes less than two hours apart in the early hours of Friday morning (May 16).
The first fatal collision occurred just after 2am in East Baton Rouge Parish, where Lee was driving north on LA 67 near Lemon Road.
According to a news release shared by the Louisiana State Police, Lee was driving a 2013 Toyota Highlander when the vehicle veered off the road, hit a culvert and overturned.
"Lee was unrestrained, sustained fatal injuries, and was pronounced deceased on the scene," a police spokesperson said in a statement. "Impairment is unknown; however, a routine toxicology sample was collected for analysis."
When investigators notified Lee's fiancé, Collins, he left to go to the crash site when troopers said he lost control of his car on Plank Road just outside the town of Clinton.
"The preliminary investigation revealed that Collins was traveling south on LA 67 at a high rate of speed in a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro," Louisiana State Police said. "As a result, the vehicle failed to negotiate a right-hand curve, exited the roadway to the left, and struck a tree.
"Collins was unrestrained and was ejected from the vehicle. He sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene. Impairment is not suspected; however, a toxicology sample was obtained and will be submitted for analysis. Both crashes remain under investigation."
The couple leave behind a four-year-old son called Gabriel and two grieving families who can't understand how this tragedy befell them.
"I love them and I'm gonna miss both of them and I'm gonna find the strength to go ahead," Collins' father Arthur told WAFB.
"Losing Lexus just different. It was a different feeling, and it's like I know a part of me gone," said Lee's sister Dominque.
Collins' mother Sandra said that the couple's son Gabriel understands what happened to his parents as she vowed that the family would care for the youngster.
"He understands what happened, and he's just having a little problem comprehending that we can't talk to them," she told WAFB.
"We can't see them, but he understands that they are asleep and are with God."
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