What was meant to be the start of a beautiful new chapter quickly turned into an unthinkable tragedy. Alexus Lee and John “JR” Collins’ plans for the future came to a sudden halt in the early hours of Friday, May 16. Now, their story is capturing hearts and leaving a community in shock.
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Louisiana Couple, Alexus Lee & John “JR” Collins, Die Hours Apart
Alexus Lee, 25, and her fiancé John “JR” Collins, 35, were just starting their next chapter—raising their 4-year-old son, Gabriel, planning a February 2026 wedding, and settling into a new home. But their future was tragically cut short early Friday morning when both were killed in separate car accidents.
According to Louisiana State Police, Alexus was behind the wheel around 2 a.m. when she reportedly lost control of her SUV, crashing into a culvert and flipping the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and police contacted JR to deliver the devastating news.
However, it was revealed that he never made it to the scene. Around 3:45 a.m., while driving to the crash site, JR lost control of his vehicle, hit a tree, and was thrown from his car. He also died at the scene.
More Details On The Tragedy
The preliminary investigation revealed that Lee drove a 2013 Toyota Highlander north on LA 67. For reasons still under investigation, the SUV exited the roadway to the left, struck a culvert, and overturned. Lee sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Though impairment is unknown, a routine toxicology sample was collected for analysis.
Furthermore, around 3:45 a.m., Louisiana State Police responded to a fatal single-vehicle crash on LA 67 at Idlewild Road in East Feliciana Parish. The victim was identified as 35-year-old John Collins. According to investigators, Collins was driving a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro southbound at a high rate of speed when he failed to navigate a right-hand curve. The car veered off the road, struck a tree, and he was ejected from the vehicle. Impairment is not suspected.
Additionally, troopers confirmed that neither Alexus nor JR was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the separate crashes. Furthermore, the couple leaves behind their young son.
Their Families Speak Out
As both families grieve this unimaginable loss, they’re also holding onto the deep love Alexus and JR had for one another—and the life they built together with their son, Gabriel. Sandra Collins, JR’s mother, reflected on their bond, saying,
“He loved Alexus as well as everybody else who knew her. To know her was to love her.”
JR’s father, Arthur Collins, told WAFB, “I’m gonna miss both of them and…find the strength to go ahead.” Alexus’ sister, Dominque Lee, shared how deeply the loss has shaken her. She mentioned that losing her sister is “different” and “it’s like I know a part of me [is] gone.”
Mentioning the late couple’s son, Sandra also said,
“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.”
Their families planned a joint funeral service reportedly set for the morning of Wednesday, May 21.
