Over the weekend, a husband lost his wife and all their children when the car they were traveling in at high speed crashed into another vehicle. Neighbors and loved ones have since fondly remembered the mother and her children.

On April 6, 2025, tragedy struck when a mother and her four young children died in a car crash on I-95 in McIntosh County, Georgia. The accident occurred at around 6 a.m. and involved only two cars.

According to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), a rental Jeep Cherokee SUV was traveling south in the far-right lane from Raleigh, North Carolina, when it struck the back of a sedan. GSP revealed that a woman, Reagan Dougan, 27, was driving the car with her children as passengers.

Reagan was heading to meet her husband, Christian Dougan, in Florida. A witness recalled seeing the SUV hit the center guardrail before it burst into flames. Authorities stated that the rental vehicle was “traveling at a high rate of speed” early that Sunday morning.

The GSP confirmed that the five occupants of the SUV, including a nine-year-old boy, a four-year-old boy, a two-year-old girl, and a three-month-old boy, were pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger in the other vehicle was transported to the hospital.

Authorities closed the I-95 for four hours following the crash. An official at the scene recalled witnessing the Jeep completely burned down. He confirmed that the white Infiniti four-door sedan had been hit in the rear. The GSP emphasized that these findings were preliminary as the crash investigation remained ongoing.

Since their passing, Reagan’s loved ones in Florida and her neighbors have fondly remembered her. A Raleigh neighbor, Christopher “Jonesy” Butler-Jones, admitted, “I’m still in shock,” adding, “(Her husband) lost his entire family. It’s just heart-wrenching.”

Neighbors shared that the Dougan family was new to North Carolina, having moved a few months earlier to a bigger house in a Raleigh cul-de-sac. Loved ones said it had been about a year since Reagan and her family moved to Raleigh.

Butler-Jones remembered Reagan as a “devoted mother,” a sentiment echoed by her friends in Florida. He said, “That was one of her dreams, is to always have an amazing family and be a mother. She was very dedicated. Her kids were everything to her.”

The neighbor recalled how the late mother had been there for him and his family after 2024’s Hurricane Milton took everything from them. He shared, “When my kid came out of his room yesterday, he happened to have on the shirt, shorts, everything that was an outfit that she sent.”

Butler-Jones continued, “There was a very warm, comforting feeling. It kind of allowed me to be able to start seeing that there is going to be a light at the end of the tunnel.” He remembered his friend as a “very loving, and kind person,” someone you could call when upset because she would make you happy.

The neighbor concluded, “She’s going to show you the brighter side of it.” Another neighbor, Jason Flores, recalled, “We always waved to each other. She always had a smile on her face. The kids were always happy. Their food always smelled good when they cooked it.” However, they never got to spend time together as neighbors.

Flores admitted he could not fathom how they were there one day and gone the next. According to a news report, the Dougan family was described as “sweet and joyful,” with the children often playing in the family yard and the boys climbing trees.

Following the family’s death, Christian’s stepmother, Sarah Stoltman, helped create a GoFundMe account aiming to raise $35,000 on his behalf. At the time of writing, the fundraiser had reached 75 percent of its goal, amounting to $26,309.

In the fundraiser text, Stoltman explained, “While Christian works with his and Reagan’s family to begin mourning these five beautiful souls, we cannot even fathom the financial burden it is going to endure moving his family from Georgia to their final resting place in Florida.”

She revealed that the funds would help cover the funeral expenses to “ensure a dignified farewell.” Stoltman said the financial support, any amount welcome and appreciated, would help them “honor Reagan and the children’s lives and legacy.”

Tributes poured in for the family on Facebook, with Kyleah Miller sharing details of the fundraiser and confirming her sister-in-law and niece and nephews’ deaths. Miller said, “words [sic] cannot begin to describe how devastated we are.”

She revealed her brother Christian’s fundraiser, saying, “any donations or link shares would help christian out immensely during this difficult time. thank you for all of the love and support that everybody has given this beautiful family. fly high sweet angels, you will forever be so deeply loved. [sic]”

Sharing images of the Dougan family, Katrina Cusatis mourned, “My heart is completely broken over this unimaginable tragedy. I had the honor of photographing their sweet family during a maternity session this past fall — their love, joy, and connection were truly unforgettable.”

Cusatis added, “Please join me in lifting Reagan’s husband and their families in prayer as they navigate this immense loss. If you feel led, there is a GoFundMe to support them during this time.”

Cecily Corinne Borquez, Reagan’s friend, uploaded a childhood image of her and the late parent. She wrote, “Reagan Dougan You were such an amazing friend, the life of the party, an absolute blast to be around, and all around one in a million.”

Borquez continued, “How something so tragic could happen to someone so incredible, I’ll never understand. You and your family are in my thoughts. You’ll never be forgotten. May you rest in peace beautiful mama.”

The Dougan family’s passing has left an indelible mark on their community. May their memories shine brightly in the hearts of all who loved them.

As previously reported, the Dougan children aren’t the only kids who’ve passed away in recent days. A nine-year-old child lost his life after being pulled into floodwaters on his way to catch his school bus, raising safety concerns across his Kentucky community.

On Friday morning, April 4, 2025, Gabriel Andrews and his older sister were walking to their regular pickup spot in the Hickory Hills area of Frankfort when he slipped and was swept away by fast-moving water.

The incident was reported at 6:35 a.m., and a large-scale emergency response was launched. Search crews located Gabriel’s body around 8:47 a.m., approximately half a mile from where he was last seen. The Franklin County Coroner’s Office confirmed his death at 9:16 a.m.

Gabriel had just turned nine on April 1, just three days before the tragedy. He lived with his mother, Racheal Tibbs Andrews, who is widowed. Residents of the area explained that children in Gabriel’s apartment complex must cross a drainage channel to reach their bus stop. On that particular morning, the area was flooded.

The news of his death brought shock and sorrow to the school and local community. Gabriel’s teacher, Kasey Swails, posted, “The sweetest Bindi Boy 💚 we love you always Gabe.” Another message from teacher Hannah Clark read, “Long live this sweet boy 🩵 prayers for his family!”

In a separate message, Kasey shared what Gabriel meant to her class. “My favorite part of being a teacher is who I share my classroom with. Something I pride myself on is the community I build within my four walls. By May, we are more than just a class, we are a classroom family,” she wrote.

She continued, “Today, an important part of that classroom family was taken from us. The sweetest, kindest boy who was impossible not to love. Who loved basketball and anything to do with a police car, who tried his best at any task given to him. Who was a friend to all.[..] Today has been the most heartbreaking day in my teaching career.”

Franklin County Schools confirmed that Gabriel was one of their students. “We are deeply saddened at this horrific tragedy that claimed the life of one of our students,” the district said in a statement. “We are eternally grateful for our community first responders[…] who selflessly responded to assist in this situation.

Frankfort Assistant Chief of Police Scott Tracy held a briefing later that day, joined by officials including Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson and Franklin County Judge Michael Mueller. The Assistant Chief of Police stated, “Our hearts are with our entire community during this time.”

Mayor Wilkerson added, “A tragedy such as this is felt by our entire community and we all grieve together.” Judge Mueller also offered condolences and thanked emergency personnel. “We offer our thoughts and prayers as they go through this time,” he said

The incident occurred as rounds of heavy rain moved through the region. Several parts of the Midwest and South were under warnings for torrential rains and flash floods. Satellite imagery showed storm activity across Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

In the days leading up to April 4, tornadoes in the region had already destroyed neighborhoods and claimed lives. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear warned residents about the dangers of rising water.

Following the incident, the district’s decision to continue classes despite the weather came under scrutiny. Caitlin Green, the mother of one of Gabriel’s classmates, questioned the move. “The rain was coming down hard. They had already called off certain bus routes in the area due to flooded roadways,” she told a CNN affiliate.

On the morning of April 4, Franklin County Schools announced the cancellation of two bus routes — Bus 59 and Bus 11 — serving areas including Peaksmill, Switzer, Hamilton Camp Pleasant, Snavely Road, and Lucas Lane.

The district noted that any students affected by the transportation changes would have excused absences. However, schools remained open for the day. Later that afternoon, the district responded to rumors circulating on social media, clarifying through School Safety Coordinator Captain Abrams.

“We are hearing rumors that some social media posts are falsely reporting that some FCS Schools are in lockdown. This is False. All schools are operating normally and there are no lockdowns in the district,” the post read.

The community continues to mourn the loss of Gabriel Andrews — a young boy remembered by those who knew him as kind, joyful, and full of promise.