A Devastating Call — Then Another Blow

At some point shortly after the crash, authorities reached out to notify Alexus Lee’s next of kin — her fiancé, JR Collins. Collins, a dedicated truck driver with a passion for fast cars and family, received the call no one ever wants to get. His fiancée, the woman he had planned to spend the rest of his life with, had died in a car crash.

Overcome with emotion and desperation, Collins got in his car and began making his way to the crash site. It was a path fueled by grief, disbelief, and the overwhelming pull of love and loss.

But before he could arrive, tragedy struck a second time.

At approximately 3:45 a.m. — less than two hours after Alexus’s accident — Louisiana State Police say Collins lost control of his vehicle while traveling on the same Plank Road, just outside the small town of Clinton. His car veered off the road and slammed into a tree. Collins, who was also not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.

Two deaths. Two separate crashes. One grieving son left behind — and a community grappling with the cruel randomness of fate.

A Community in Mourning

As the sun rose over East Baton Rouge Parish that Friday morning, word of the back-to-back tragedies began to spread. At Southern University, where Alexus Lee had recently graduated, faculty and fellow alumni were stunned by the news. At East Feliciana STEAM Academy, students and colleagues alike were left in tears and disbelief. Lee had been a rising star in the education field, passionate about science and empowering young minds.

“She was the type of teacher who didn’t just teach the curriculum — she taught her students to believe in themselves,” said one colleague, struggling to hold back tears. “She brought joy to every room she entered.”

At the same time, those who knew JR Collins remembered him as a devoted father, a dependable friend, and a man who worked hard to provide for his family. He was a long-haul truck driver who often spoke of wanting to build a better future for his son and fiancée. His love for Alexus, friends said, was evident in every word he spoke about her.

“They were inseparable,” said a longtime friend. “You never saw one without the other. They were each other’s best friend.”

A Future Lost in Moments

What makes this tragedy even more difficult to bear is how quickly a hopeful, thriving young family was torn apart.

Only days earlier, Lee and Collins had been sharing photos of their new home — a cozy place where they had envisioned raising their son, hosting family dinners, and building a life filled with love and stability. Now, that house stands as a silent monument to dreams cut short.

Their son, Gabriel, just 4 years old, has now lost both of his parents in a single morning. He is currently in the care of family members, who are now tasked not only with raising him but also with helping him understand a loss too big for words.

Safety Reminders in the Wake of Tragedy

Both Lee and Collins were not wearing seatbelts at the time of their crashes — a fact that state police noted as part of their investigation. Officials say this heartbreaking sequence of events serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of basic safety measures like seatbelt use.

“This is a gut-wrenching example of how quickly lives can be lost on our roadways,” said a representative from Louisiana State Police. “We urge every driver to buckle up every time, no matter how short the trip or how late the hour. It can make the difference between life and death.”

They also emphasized that late-night driving, especially on rural roads, can be particularly dangerous due to reduced visibility, driver fatigue, and less traffic enforcement.

A Lasting Legacy

Though their lives were cut short, both Alexus Lee and JR Collins leave behind lasting legacies in the form of those they touched — and especially in the life of their young son. Family members are establishing memorials in their honor and plan to create a scholarship fund in Lee’s name to support aspiring educators from Southern University.

Friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral expenses and to support Gabriel’s future.

“This is every family’s worst nightmare,” said a cousin of Alexus Lee. “But we’re holding on to each other, and we’re holding on to the love they gave us. We’ll make sure Gabriel knows how incredible his parents were.”

A Community Grieves Together

Vigils are being planned in both Zachary and Clinton, as community members — many of whom didn’t know Lee or Collins personally — express their collective sorrow and support. On social media, tributes continue to pour in. Former students, colleagues, and friends are sharing stories and memories of Lee’s kindness, Collins’ humor, and the love they shared.

“They were a beautiful couple with a beautiful soul,” one post read. “It’s just so cruel, so senseless. They should be here — together.”

Final Thoughts

In a world often defined by chaos and randomness, the deaths of Alexus Lee and JR Collins serve as a sorrowful testament to the fragility of life and the enduring power of love — even in its final moments. What was meant to be a lifelong journey together ended far too soon, and on the very same road.

Their story has left an indelible mark not just on their families, but on an entire community that will remember them for who they were — two loving souls planning a life together, taken far too soon, but never forgotten.

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