While traveling to see her spouse, a mother and four children perished in a terrible catastrophe

As loved ones from two states lament the heartbreaking news, a widower in Georgia is mourning the unfathomable loss of his entire family, including his wife and four small children, in a fatal vehicle accident. Car accidents are usually terrifying, but they are made even more heartbreaking when people are killed.

However, the Dougan family’s narrative is simply incomprehensible. Reagan Dougan, 27, was driving her children, a 3-month-old infant, a 4-year-old boy, a 2-year-old girl, and a 9-year-old boy, down I-95 South in McIntosh County, Georgia, on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at around 6 a.m.

There were undoubtedly chaotic moments and even some noise, just as with any family traveling by car, but there was also a strong sense of unity. Then all of a sudden, a horrible thing occurred.

Reagen struck another car with his rental SUV. Reagan and her four children perished at the scene when her Jeep Cherokee caught fire. The Dougan family had been traveling to Florida to meet her spouse, Christian.

According to the authorities, Reagan hired the SUV from Raleigh, North Carolina, for the trip. Christopher Ashdown, a Georgia State Trooper, told the Associated Press that the SUV was traveling at a high speed when it collided into the back of a white Infiniti sedan. According to a witness, the car struck the center barrier before catching fire.

The other car’s driver was taken to the hospital after surviving. For four hours, the highway was closed while investigators looked into the crash. Investigations are still ongoing to determine what caused the crash.

Both the Florida community they were traveling to and the Raleigh neighborhood where they had recently moved have been rocked by the news of the family’s deaths. Family friend Christopher “Jonesy” Butler-Jones told WTVD, in tears, “I’m still in shock.” Her spouse lost everyone in his family. It’s simply heartbreaking.

Reagan, according to Jonesy, was a loving mother whose biggest ambition was to establish a prosperous and contented family. Being a mother and having a wonderful family was one of her ambitions. She was incredibly committed.

Her children meant the world to her. In addition to being a devoted mother, he recalled her as the kind of friend who could make your worst days brighter. “You can call her and she will make you happy if you’re upset,” he stated. “She will show you the positive side of things.”

Neighbors in Raleigh are struggling with the unexpected death of a family they had only recently come to know. Neighbor Jason Flores told WRAL: We waved to one another all the time. Her smile never left her face. The children were consistently joyful. Every time they prepared meals, it had a pleasant aroma. The family left a lasting impression despite their brief stay.

In their front yard, children were frequently observed laughing, climbing trees, and playing outside. Sarah Stoltman, Christian’s stepmother, started a GoFundMe page to assist with paying for the funeral and shipping the family’s remains to Florida. At the time of writing, the campaign has raised almost $88,000 of its $120,000 goal.

Stoltman stated, “We cannot even imagine the financial burden it will endure to move his family from Georgia to their final resting place in Florida, while Christian works with his and Reagan’s family to begin mourning these five beautiful souls.” Reagan and her kids will have a “dignified farewell” thanks to the charity. I can assure you that Carter was giggling both before and after this.

Both friends and complete strangers have been posting tributes on social media. “My heart is completely broken over this unimaginable tragedy,” posted photographer Katrina Cusatis on Facebook, after taking prenatal pictures for the Dougan family last fall.

Their connection, love, and happiness will always be remembered. She asked everyone to offer up prayers for Christian and do whatever they could to help the family. “There is a GoFundMe to support them during this time if you feel led.”

“You were such an amazing friend, the life of the party, an absolute blast to be around, and all around one in a million,” wrote Cecily Corinne Borquez, a friend of Reagan’s, in a childhood snapshot showing the two of them. I’ll never understand how someone so amazing could experience such tragedy. You will always be remembered.

Everyone who knew the Dougan family has been forever changed by their loss. Reagan is characterized by friends as a light—a woman who lived a happy life, loved sincerely, and mothered with all of her heart. “There was a very warm, comforting feeling around her,” her buddy Jonesy said. In a way, it made it possible for me to begin seeing that there will be a bright future.

I’m sending up prayers for everyone affected by this terrible incident! To all who knew and loved Reagan and her children, may that light—the love they brought into the world—remain bright.