Alexus Lee and John ‘JR’ Collins’s four-year-old son is struggling to understand that he lost both of his parents.
Just hours after a Louisiana couple died in separate car crashes, their families are feeling a deep sense of loss.
They must leave their four-year-old boy, whose grandmother says he is having a difficult time adjusting to the loss.
Alexus Lee, 25 and John Jr Collins, 35, were excited about what was ahead for them both. During the holiday season, they announced they were planning to get married in February 2026 and had picked out a home where they could raise their four-year-old son named Gabriel.
Sadly, their lives stopped on May 16 when the couple died in two distinct car accidents.
Lee’s SUV rolled over while she was driving on Plank Road in Zachary in the early morning, according to the state police. It has emerged from officials that the woman had taken off her seatbelt at the time of the vehicle crash into a culvert followed by an overturning.
Officials also told WAFB that the victim died right there after the crash happened before 2am and Fox8live added that Lee’s fiancé heard about the crash and went to the scene where he learned the news.
Officials report that JR lost control of his vehicle a few minutes before 3.45am, as he was driving to his partner’s accident. The police confirmed that the driver hit a tree on Plank Road near Clinton and was thrown from his truck, dying at the scene.
Police say that Collins, too, failed to wear his seat belt.
Arthur Collins, Michael’s father, opened up in a sad interview by saying that he still feels empty after what happened.
I really love my animals. I know I will miss them both and I have to keep going forward,” he said, fighting back tears to WAFB.
On the other hand, Collins’ mother Sandra said her son ‘really liked’ and cared for his wife-to-be.
She added: “To him, Alexus was just as special as everyone else in her life.” Knowing her made one love her.
She went on to say that Gabriel didn’t truly comprehend that his parents had passed away, even after Lee and Collins’ deaths.
He is struggling to understand we are unable to talk to them. Even though we can’t see them, he is comforted by the idea that those loved ones are resting with the Lord.
Our two families will come together and we’ll make sure he has the happiest life possible.
Lee’s sister Dominique said she didn’t know why losing her bothered her so much, as though a part of her had ‘left’ her.
I am sure they felt at ease because they knew their child would be taken care of.
Live5news said that the families of the deceased gathered yesterday (May 21) to remember their loved ones.
Alternatively, state police have notified media that both accidents are being fully investigated.g
