Fiancé Dies Hours After Learning of Partner’s Fatal Crash, Leaving Son Behind
In the early hours of May 16, 2025, a heartbreaking sequence of events unfolded in East Baton Rouge and East Feliciana Parishes, Louisiana, claiming the lives of an engaged couple, Alexus Lee, 25, and John “JR” Collins, 35, in separate car crashes less than two hours apart. The couple, who had recently purchased a home together and were planning their wedding for February 2026, left behind a four-year-old son, Gabriel, and a community grappling with the weight of their loss. The tragedy, marked by a cruel twist of fate, began when Lee lost control of her vehicle and ended when Collins, rushing to her side after receiving devastating news, met a similar fate.
Alexus Lee was driving northbound on LA 67 near Lemon Road in East Baton Rouge Parish shortly after 2 a.m. when her 2013 Toyota Highlander veered off the roadway. According to Louisiana State Police, the SUV struck a culvert and overturned. Lee, who was not wearing a seat belt, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash, with a routine toxicology sample collected to determine if impairment was a factor. Lee, a recent graduate of Southern University, was a beloved teacher at East Feliciana STEAM Academy. Her vibrant spirit and dedication to her students left a lasting impression on colleagues and the community.
As news of Lee’s death reached her fiancé, JR Collins, he was struck with unimaginable grief. A truck driver with a passion for sports cars, Collins was known for his warm personality and deep love for his family. Upon receiving the call from investigators, he immediately set out for the crash site, desperate to be near his fiancée. Tragically, just before 3:45 a.m., while traveling south on LA 67 near Idlewild Road in East Feliciana Parish, Collins lost control of his Chevrolet Camaro. The vehicle, moving at a high rate of speed, failed to navigate a curve, veered off the road, and struck a tree. Collins, also unrestrained by a seat belt, was ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. Like Lee’s crash, the investigation into Collins’ accident remains ongoing, with toxicology results pending.
The couple’s sudden deaths have left their families and friends reeling, particularly as they navigate the responsibility of caring for Gabriel, the four-year-old son Lee and Collins shared. Family members described the couple’s relationship as a whirlwind romance, filled with love and dreams for the future. They had recently purchased a home, a symbol of their commitment to building a life together. Now, their families are left to honor that love by ensuring Gabriel grows up surrounded by support. A joint celebration of life for Lee and Collins was held on May 21 at East Feliciana STEAM Academy, where community members gathered to mourn and remember the couple’s warmth and contributions.
The tragedy underscores the critical importance of seat belt use, as both crashes might have had different outcomes had Lee and Collins been restrained. Louisiana State Police continue to urge drivers to make responsible choices on the road, a reminder made all the more poignant by this devastating loss. For the community, the story of Alexus Lee and JR Collins is a painful reminder of life’s fragility, but also of the enduring love they leave behind in their son and the memories they created together.
