logo
Man dies rushing to scene of future wife's fatal crash

Man dies rushing to scene of future wife's fatal crash

Perth Now25-05-2025

A young boy has been left orphaned after his parents died just hours apart in separate car crashes.
John Collins was rushing to the scene of a crash involving his fiancée, Alexus Lee, when his vehicle hit a tree in Louisiana last Friday.
Ms Lee, 25, was driving a Toyota Highlander around 2am when the car left the road and rolled.
When Mr Collins was alerted to the crash, he jumped in his car to get to his wife. Alexus Lee, John Collins and Gabriel. Credit: Facebook
According to police, Mr Collins lost control of his car while going around a curve and smashed into a tree.
The impact of the crash resulted in Mr Collins — who was not wearing a seatbelt — being throw from the car.
The couple — who were engaged — shared a four-year-old boy named Gabriel. Alexus Lee showing off her ring after the proposal. Credit: Facebook
Mr Collins' mum Sandra said little Gabriel is struggling to cope following the tragedy.
'He understands what happened, and he's just having a little problem comprehending that we can't talk to them,' Sandra said.
'We can't see them, but he understands that they are asleep and are with God.'
Sandra vowed her family and Ms Lee's family will work together to raise Gabriel.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Endearing' messages read in MP's trial
‘Endearing' messages read in MP's trial

Perth Now

time2 hours ago

  • Perth Now

‘Endearing' messages read in MP's trial

A political staffer who alleges Kiama MP Gareth Ward sexually abused him has told a court that he spent months 'looking over his shoulder' after the alleged assault despite sending him 'endearing' messages. Mr Ward, 43, is facing a four-week criminal trial in the Downing Centre District Court over allegations he sexually abused two young men. The NSW independent MP was charged in March 2022 with three counts of assault with act of indecency, an alternative charge of common assault against an 18-year-old man at Meroo Meadow in 2013, and intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015. He has pleaded not guilty to each of the five charges. Mr Ward arrived in court on Monday for the second week of the criminal trial before Judge Kara Shead SC. The first complainant, a man who was aged 24 at the time of the alleged assault, again took the stand to give evidence in a cross-examination by defence solicitor David Campbell SC. State member for Kiama Gareth Ward is facing a four-week criminal trial in the Downing Centre District Court. NewsWire / John Appleyard Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Campbell asked the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, about an RSVP to a party in 2016. The man said he 'did not recall' either sending an RSVP or even attending the party. However, Mr Campbell put to the man that it would be 'extraordinary' for him not to remember attending such an event, given how he previously told the court that he felt 'uncomfortable' towards Mr Ward at the time. 'Until today I haven't recalled attending,' the man replied, noting it was almost 10 years ago. The man's memory again came under question when Mr Campbell asked him about further communications with Mr Ward in the months following the alleged assault. A series of Facebook messages were read out in court between the complainant and Mr Ward. In the messages, the man refers to Mr Ward as 'love', along with a smiley face, and asks him how his night was. Mr Campbell said the term 'love' was 'an expression of endearment', which he suggested was not the sort of dialogue one would use when feeling 'uncomfortable'. The man replied that he often referred to others, as well as colleagues, as 'love' or 'dear' and perhaps he was 'overcompensating' at the time. During the time of the messages in the months following the alleged assault the man told the court that he felt a 'little uncomfortable'. 'What do you mean by that?' Mr Campbell asked. 'Having to be alert made me uncomfortable … when you're looking over your shoulder, you often felt uncomfortable,' the man replied. The cross-examination is expected to continue on Monday afternoon. The man had earlier told the court that he attended an event on the night of the alleged assault at NSW Parliament House in 2015 before heading back to Mr Ward's apartment. Messages between Mr Ward and a complainant were read out in court on Monday. NewsWire / John Appleyard Credit: News Corp Australia The man said he had drunk 'three or four glasses of white wine' at the event and was trying to organise a cab ride home when he ran into Mr Ward. The pair had a brief conversation before Mr Ward allegedly invited the man to his office at Parliament House where he poured the staffer another wine. The man told Mr Ward that he had to leave as he lived 'a long way away', to which the MP offered the 24-year-old to stay at his place that night, the court was told. The pair allegedly walked to Mr Ward's apartment in Potts Point, and along the way Mr Ward continued telling the man about 'how bright' his future was, the court was told. Back at Mr Ward's apartment, the MP poured the man another drink before allegedly attempting to kiss him on his balcony, to which the political staffer pushed him away and said 'no'. Mr Ward leaned in again a short time later and kissed the man before the 24-year-old said he wanted to go to bed, the court was told. The Crown alleges the man was shown to his room by Mr Ward, who had allegedly stripped down to his boxers. Mr Ward allegedly put an arm over the man and his hands on the man's buttocks before he was told to stop. Without warning, it's alleged Mr Ward digitally penetrated him before allegedly kissing his neck and masturbating. The two maintained a professional relationship for some time after the alleged events, the court was told. The man made a formal statement years later to police, and Mr Ward was formally charged in March 2022. In her opening address last week, Crown prosecutor Monika Knowles alleged that Mr Ward indecently assaulted another man, who had just turned 18, at his home on the South Coast in February 2013. Beginning his political career in 2011, Mr Ward was a councillor on the Shoalhaven Council before becoming the Liberal member for Kiama in 2011, a seat he has held since. The trial continues. mental health support

Urgent search for 14yo girl believed to be with two men
Urgent search for 14yo girl believed to be with two men

Perth Now

time3 hours ago

  • Perth Now

Urgent search for 14yo girl believed to be with two men

An urgent search has been launched for a 14-year-old girl from NSW, with police and family pleading for public assistance after her social media was 'deactivated' and people trying to contact her have been 'blocked'. Holly Whalan was last seen around 12.15pm on Sunday near High Street, Warialda, which is situated around 350kms north west of Coffs Harbour in NSW. When Holly was unable to be contacted, her parents alerted New England Police, and investigations began. NSW Police say Holly 'may be in the company of two men, aged 22 and 24'. 'Investigations indicate Holly may (have) been in Woodridge, QLD, about 11.50pm last night,' a NSW Police statement said. 'Police and family have concerns due to her age.' On Facebook, Holly's mother, Kahlia Whalan, said she was 'extremely worried' and that Holly's Facebook account had been 'deactivated'. 'Our daughter is missing,' she wrote on social media. 'We believe she has been taken out of Warialda.' Adding to Ms Whalan's concern, she revealed the when people have tried to contact Holly, they have been 'blocked immediately'. 'Anyone who tries to contact her is blocked immediately,' she wrote 'Her Facebook has been deactivated. 'We are extremely worried for her safety. Please help us bring our baby home. 'If you know something, do the right thing and tell us immediately Holly is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall, with shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes Police say she was last seen wearing a white crop top and black and white tights. NSW Police believe she may be travelling in either a 2015 blue Mitsubishi Lancer, QLD registration 741JD9, or a 2008 silver Audi A3 bearing QLD registration 344GJ6. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or Crime Stoppers NSW online.

Kylie Johnson, mother of missing teen Phoebe Bishop, hits back at vile comments from online trolls
Kylie Johnson, mother of missing teen Phoebe Bishop, hits back at vile comments from online trolls

West Australian

time8 hours ago

  • West Australian

Kylie Johnson, mother of missing teen Phoebe Bishop, hits back at vile comments from online trolls

The mother of missing teenager Phoebe Bishop has hit back at vile social media comments, following an appeal to the public alongside police to help find her daughter. Kylie Johnson appeared in a video appeal urging anyone who had seen a grey Hyundai ix35 - which her daughter Pheobe was reportedly travelling in before she disappeared - to contact police. But after vile comments began appearing on the video, Ms Johnson took matters into her own hands. In a post on her Facebook account, she hit back at the trolls who were attacking her tone and demeanour. 'I'm sorry that I'm currently an emotional wreck, trying to protect our other children from the media and the trolls, trying to continue to breathe while your world shatters around you!,' she posted on Saturday. Ms Johnson's daughter, 17-year-old Phoebe Bishop, has been missing since May 15, when the teenager failed to board a flight at Bundaberg Airport. After searching bushland in the regional Queensland city, police put out a video statement read by Ms Johnson over the weekend, where the mother pleads for information. After the police statement was published online, commenters began to criticise the way Ms Johnson spoke and her demeanour. 'People wanted a statement, they got one yet still question me as a mother?,' Ms Johnson posted afterwards. 'If anyone would like to be in this position please step in and show me how to do this? Show me what a perfect parent looks like' she said, defending herself. 'Show me how to navigate this? Show me how to deal with the unknown and the uncertainty? Show me how to use perfect language and emotion in a situation that no parent ever wants to be in.' Ms Johnson has posted daily about the search for Phoebe, and acknowledges she has left her social media accounts open to the public to maintain awareness of her missing daughter, despite rife and derogatory comments from members of the public. 'My posts aren't public to defend myself or react to negative comments. In fact negative comments also draw conversations and that's what we as a family need to bring Phee home,' she posted last week. 'Hell I will take any conversation if it has my baby walking down our driveway or calling any of us. 'So please don't be mad at the trolls. They have a role to play just like the amazing people who honestly just want our Phoebe home.' Phoebe was last seen on May 15, travelling toward Bundaberg Airport. Her housemates told police they drove Phoebe to the airport in a grey Hyundai ix35 for her 8.30am flight. But Phoebe did not enter the airport. Police have searched their house and charged the flatmates with unrelated weapon possession charges.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store