After being engaged in separate vehicle accidents, a husband and wife-to-be have both passed away within a few hours of leaving each other.
As reported by the local news organization WAFB, Alexus Lee, who was 25 years old, and John “JR” Collins, who was 35 years old, had just purchased a new home and were planning to be married in February 2026. However, they passed away in the middle of the night on Friday, May 16, in Louisiana.
On May 16, authorities acknowledged that they responded to “two separate fatal crashes on LA 67 in two different parishes.” This information was included in a press release that was sent by the Louisiana State Police.
They went on to say that Lee’s accident occurred in East Baton Rouge Parish, and that the police first responded to the mishap involving a single car that occurred at Lemon Road at around 2:00 a.m.
It was said in the announcement that the early investigation had shown that Lee was driving a 2013 Toyota Highlander in the direction of northbound traffic on LA 67. “The Toyota exited the roadway to the left, collided with a culvert, and flipped over for reasons that are still being investigated,”
They went on to say that Lee was completely unrestrained, that she had incurred fatal injuries, and that she was declared dead at the spot. The impairment is unclear; however, a sample of toxicology that is routinely obtained was taken for analytical purposes.
Collins was reportedly traveling to the site of the accident that his fiancée was involved in when he lost control of his car, as reported by WAFB. It was also alleged by the site that the couple had a kid named Gabriel who was four years old.
According to the press statement issued by the police department, Collins was engaged in a collision involving a single car that occurred near Idlewild Road in East Feliciana Parish. The authorities arrived at the site just before 3:45 in the midnight.
“The preliminary investigation revealed that Collins was traveling south on LA 67 at a high rate of speed in a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro,” the police added. “The investigation was conducted in its preliminary stages.” As a consequence of this, the car was unable to navigate a bend to the right, and as a consequence, it departed the highway to the left and collided with a tree.
“Collins was not restrained within the vehicle, and he was thrown out of the vehicle,” they said. It was determined that he had suffered fatal injuries and that he had passed away at the scene. In spite of the fact that there is no indication of impairment, a toxicological sample was collected and will be sent for examination. Both collisions are still being looked at by authorities.
Members of the couple’s family and friends have expressed how much they would miss Collins and Lee.
Arthur Collins, Collins’ father, expressed his feelings to WAFB by saying, “I love them and I’m going to miss both of them and I’m going to find the strength to go ahead.”
“He loved Alexus as much as everybody else who knew
her,” said his mother, Sandra, who also submitted another statement. The only way to love her was to know her.
In addition, Sandra said that Gabriel, the couple’s kid, is aware of the fact that both of his parents have passed away.
She continued by saying, “He is aware of what took place, and he is just having a little difficulty understanding that we are unable to communicate with them.” “We can’t see them, but he understands that they are asleep and are with God.”
After that, Dominque, Alexus’ sister, continued by saying, “I know they left here knowing that their child is in good hands for sure.”
The East Feliciana Public Schools company, which is Lee’s employer, paid homage to the educator in a message that was posted on Facebook.
“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,” according to the Facebook post. “Please join us in wrapping Ms. Lee’s family in prayer and love during this difficult time.”