A devastating car crash in Georgia has left a husband heartbroken, grieving the unimaginable loss of his wife and four young children. The tragic news has sent shockwaves through loved ones in two states, who are mourning the family’s untimely death.
Car accidents are always harrowing, and when lives are lost, the pain is unbearable. But the story of the Dougan family is nothing short of heart-wrenching.
On Sunday, April 6, 2025, at approximately 6 a.m., 27-year-old Reagan Dougan was driving with her four children — a 9-year-old boy, a 4-year-old boy, a 2-year-old girl, and a 3-month-old baby — on I-95 South in McIntosh County, Georgia.
What should have been a typical road trip filled with moments of chaos, laughter, and togetherness quickly turned into a nightmare. In a devastating twist of fate, Reagan’s rented Jeep Cherokee collided with another vehicle. The impact caused the SUV to erupt into flames, leaving Reagan and all four children trapped inside, unable to escape.
The family had been on their way to reunite with Reagan’s husband, Christian, in Florida, never anticipating that this would be the tragic end to their journey.
Authorities report that Reagan had rented the SUV for the long drive from Raleigh, North Carolina, in order to reunite with her husband in Florida.
Georgia State Trooper Christopher Ashdown shared with the Associated Press that the SUV collided with the rear of a white Infiniti sedan while traveling at a high speed. A witness to the crash stated that the vehicle struck the center guardrail before bursting into flames.
Miraculously, the driver of the Infiniti survived the crash and was transported to the hospital. The tragic accident led to the closure of the highway for four hours as authorities worked to investigate the scene. The cause of the collision is still under investigation.
“A very loving and kind person.”
The devastating loss has sent shockwaves through the community in both Raleigh, where the family had recently settled, and in the Florida town they were traveling to.
Christopher “Jonesy” Butler-Jones, a close friend of the family, spoke to WTVD, fighting back tears. “I’m still in shock,” he said. “He lost his entire family. It’s just heart-wrenching.”
Jonesy described Reagan as a devoted mother whose greatest dream was to raise a happy, thriving family. “That was one of her dreams, to always have an amazing family and be a mother. She was very dedicated. Her kids were everything to her,” he said, reflecting on her deep love for her children.
He also remembered Reagan as the kind of friend who could brighten even the darkest days. “If you’re upset, you could call her, and she’d make you happy,” Jonesy shared. “She’d show you the brighter side of everything.”
A Community in Mourning
Back in Raleigh, where the family had only recently settled, neighbors are grappling with the shocking loss of a family they were just beginning to know. Jason Flores, a neighbor, shared with WRAL, “We always waved to each other. She always had a smile on her face. The kids were always happy. Their food always smelled so good when they cooked.”
Though the family hadn’t lived there long, their presence had already made a significant impact. Children could often be seen playing outside, climbing trees, and laughing together in their front yard.
Christian’s stepmother, Sarah Stoltman, created a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses and transport the family’s remains to Florida. The campaign, with a goal of raising $120,000, had already reached over $88,000 at the time of writing.
“While Christian works with his and Reagan’s family to begin mourning these five beautiful souls, we cannot even fathom the financial burden it will take to move his family from Georgia to their final resting place in Florida,” Stoltman wrote. “The fundraiser will help ensure a dignified farewell for Reagan and her children.”
Tributes Pour In
On social media, tributes have poured in from both friends and strangers, all deeply touched by the family’s loss. Photographer Katrina Cusatis, who had taken maternity photos for the Dougan family last fall, expressed her heartbreak on Facebook: “My heart is completely broken over this unimaginable tragedy. Their love, joy, and connection were truly unforgettable.”
She urged people to pray for Christian and support the family however they could, sharing the GoFundMe link for those who wanted to help.
Reagan’s friend, Cecily Corinne Borquez, posted a childhood photo of them together, writing: “You were such an amazing friend, the life of the party, an absolute blast to be around, and all around one in a million. How something so tragic could happen to someone so incredible, I’ll never understand. You’ll never be forgotten.”
A Legacy of Love
The loss of the Dougan family has left a profound and lasting impact on everyone who knew them. Friends remember Reagan as a light — a woman who loved deeply, lived joyfully, and mothered with all her heart.
As Jonesy reflected, “There was a very warm, comforting feeling around her. It kind of allowed me to start seeing that there is going to be a light at the end of the tunnel.”
May the light — the love and joy Reagan and her children shared — continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who knew and loved them.