Latest news with #AlexusLee
The Guardian
5 days ago
- The Guardian
Louisiana family rallies around boy who lost parents in separate crashes hours apart
A Louisiana family is grieving but seeking to rally behind a four-year-old boy whose mother was recently killed in a car crash – and whose father then died in a separate vehicle wreck while trying to get to her. Gabriel, the son of Alexus Lee and John 'JR' Collins, 'understands what happened', his paternal grandmother, Sandra Collins, told the Louisiana news station WAFB. 'And he's just having a little problem comprehending that we can't talk to [his parents]. We can't see them, but he understands that they are asleep and are with God.' Gabriel's struggle to comprehend has been shared widely beyond his state after news circulated that his mother lost control of her sports utility vehicle on 16 May, flipped and was killed after crashing into a culvert alongside a road in Zachary, which is just north of Louisiana's capital, Baton Rouge. Investigators called Collins to inform him of Lee's crash – and, while driving to the scene of the wreck, he hit a tree, was ejected and was killed in the town of Clinton, about 20 miles (32km) from Zachary, as WAFB reported. Neither was wearing a seatbelt. News of the engaged couple's deaths – hours apart and just months away from the wedding they planned to have in February 2026 – shocked those who knew them. Lee had recently graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge and taught at a science, technology, engineering and mathematics school, and Collins worked as a truck driver. They had bought a new home. The couple's survivors then received an 'overwhelming outpouring of love, prayers and messages from friends, loved ones and even strangers, many [who] have asked how they can help', said a message posted on the website of a GoFundMe campaign established by Lee's sister, Dominque. The message – signed by Dominque Lee – said the aim of the campaign was to support the future of Gabriel, her orphaned nephew, and ensure 'that the legacy of his parents lives on through the opportunities we now can provide for him'. 'I'm heartbroken … that we recently lost … two incredible souls who were building a life together, full of love, dreams and devotion to their little boy,' said the message, which mentioned either establishing a trust fund for Gabriel or saving for his college education. 'While this loss is unimaginable, our commitment to Gabriel is unwavering.' On Facebook, Dominque Lee said she was preparing to have her third child before the deaths of Gabriel's parents – but now she was going to be a mother of four, she wrote. 'Rest [assured] knowing that y'all's son is in good hands,' Lee said in a post that paid tribute to her sister and the man who was going to be her brother-in-law. 'I always told you how I admire the mother you [are] – I'll fill those shoes with honor and compassion.'
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Perth Now
Man dies rushing to scene of future wife's fatal crash
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.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Great sadness': Man killed in crash while driving to scene of fiancée's fatal crash, leaving behind 4-year-old son
**Related Video Above: OSHP traffic stats 2024 EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, La. (WJW) — A couple who planned to get married next year and shared a 4-year-old son died early Friday morning in two separate vehicle crashes on the same highway, the Louisiana State Police said in a news release. According to local TV station WAFB 9, 35-year-old John 'JR' Collins was on his way to the scene of a crash involving his 25-year-old fiancée Alexus Lee on LA 67 when he was also in a vehicle crash. Multiple people on board small plane that crashed in San Diego neighborhood are dead: authorities Authorities were called to the crash involving Lee, who was driving a Toyota Highlander, around 2 a.m. in East Baton Rouge Parish. 'For reasons still under investigation, the Toyota exited the roadway to the left, struck a culvert, and overturned,' troopers said in the release. She was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene. Trooper were also called to a stretch of LA 67 in East Feliciana Parish around 3:45 a.m. for reports of a single-vehicle crash. An initial investigation showed Collins was driving a Camaro at a 'high rate of speed,' when the vehicle missed a curve, went off the road and hit a tree. He too was pronounced dead at the scene, according to state police. Neither of the drivers were wearing a seat belt, state police reported. Troopers said they took routine toxicology samples at both scenes. Lee, who was a teacher at East Feliciana Public Schools, was remembered in a tribute from the district: 'It is with great sadness we inform you that Ms. Alexus Lee, 2017 graduate of East Feliciana High School and teacher at East Feliciana STEAM Academy, passed away this morning,' the post said. 'Please join us in wrapping Ms. Lee's family in prayer and love during this difficult time.' New Orleans jail worker thought he was unclogging toilet, not helping 10 escape: Lawyer Sandra Collins, JR's mother, told WAFB 9 that the couple's son Gabriel is being cared for by family. '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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
22-05-2025
- The Independent
Man racing to be by fiancee's side after she was killed in car wreck dies in a similar tragic crash
A man was killed along the same stretch of highway in Louisiana as his fiancée just hours afterwards, police say. The horrific incident occurred along LA-67 in the early hours of May 16. The couple is survived by their four-year-old son, Gabriel. They had recently bought a home together and were due to be married in February 2026. Alexus Lee, 25, was killed while driving her 2013 Toyota Highlander north when 'for reasons still under investigation,' her car veered off the roadway, striking an obstruction and flipping over. 'Lee was unrestrained, sustained fatal injuries, and was pronounced deceased on the scene,' the Louisiana State Patrol said. Investigators into the crash contacted her partner, John Collins, 35, to tell him about the crash. Tragically, as Collins raced to the scene at a high rate of speed in a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, he 'failed to negotiate a right-hand curve,' causing him to come off the road and strike a tree, reports WAFB. 'Lee was unrestrained, sustained fatal injuries, and was pronounced deceased on the scene,' authorities said. Both Lee and Collins were pronounced dead at their respective scenes. The cause of both crashes is under investigation, with toxicology reports pending. Collins' father, Arthur, told WAFB that he is struggling to cope with the tragedy. 'I love them and I'm gonna miss both of them and I'm gonna find the strength to go ahead,' he said. His mother, Sandra, also spoke out. 'He loved Alexus as well as everybody else who knew her. To know her was to love her,' she added. The grieving parents said that they have tried to explain to their grandson what has unfolded. '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,' Sandra said. Heartfelt tributes have been pouring in for the young couple online. Lee's former high school, East Feliciana Public Schools, wrote: 'It is with great sadness we inform you that Ms. Alexus Lee, 2017 graduate of East Feliciana High School and teacher at East Feliciana STEAM Academy, passed away. 'Please join us in wrapping Ms. Lee's family in prayer and love during this difficult time,' they said. Lee's friend Meche Danielle wrote on her Facebook page: 'So many nights we spent stressing over Math 117 at UL !! Countless meals and conversations we shared. My heart truly goes out to your son, such a loving and caring soul gone too soon !! Get your rest babygirl Alexus Lee.' Todd Collins, John's brother, and Lee's brother-in-law, said Lee 'always had my back'. 'My dear sister in law, you were the best and I'm surely going to miss you. They just don't make them like you! Not only did you love my brother and nephew, you always made sure Uncle Todd was straight, whether it was a meal or a ride to the doctor, you had my back.' Lee's funeral was held on Wednesday in Clinton, Louisiana.
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Engaged couple killed in crashes hours apart, leaving son, Louisiana family says
A couple engaged to be married died in separate crashes hours apart on the same Louisiana road, leaving their young son behind, according to family and law enforcement. Alexus Lee, a 25-year-old teacher, was driving on Louisiana Highway 67 at around 2 a.m. May 16 when she veered off the road for unknown reasons and hit a culvert, causing the SUV to flip, Louisiana State Police said in a news release. She wasn't wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. Then shortly before 3:45 a.m., John 'J.R.' Collins, Lee's 35-year-old fiancé, was driving south on the same highway in the direction of Lee's accident when he took a curve at a high rate of speed, ran off the road and hit a tree, troopers said. He wasn't wearing a seat belt either and was thrown from the Chevrolet Camaro, dying at the scene of the crash about 10 miles north from the site of Lee's accident, according to state police. Loved ones have now pledged to take care of the couple's 4-year-old son. 'I love them and I'm gonna miss both of them and I'm gonna find the strength to go ahead,' Collins' father, Arthur Collins, told WALB. Alexus Lee's sister, Dominique Lee, referred to the 25-year-old woman as 'my ride or die, my diary, my emergency contact, my best friend,' in a tribute on social media. 'I know they left here knowing their child is in good hands for sure,' she told WALB. A photographer who knew the couple called them 'exceptional.' 'I wish I could have presented your memories as I collected more on your wedding day,' McDaniel Dotson wrote on Facebook. 'You were never too shy to hit the dance floor. You will truly be missed, rest easy, my beautiful friend.' Family held a joint celebration of life for the couple at East Feliciana STEAM Academy, where Lee was a teacher. The accidents are still under investigation. The pair crashed in East Baton Rouge Parish and East Feliciana Parish, about a 30-mile drive northeast from Baton Rouge.
