Mom and 4 children killed in fiery crash while traveling to see husband
A tragic car crash in Georgia has left a husband mourning the unimaginable loss of his entire family — his wife and four young children — as loved ones across two states grieve the devastating news.
Car crashes are always frightening, and when lives are lost, it becomes even more tragic. But the story of the Dougan family is truly beyond comprehension.
On Sunday, April 6, 2025, at around 6 a.m., 27-year-old Reagan Dougan was driving her children — a 9-year-old boy, a 4-year-old boy, a 2-year-old girl, and a 3-month-old baby — down I-95 South in McIntosh County, Georgia.
Like with any family on a road trip, there were probably moments of chaos, maybe some noise — but also a strong sense of togetherness. Then, suddenly, something terrible happened. Reagen’s rented SUV collided with another vehicle. Her Jeep Cherokee burst into flames, killing Reagan and all four of her children at the scene.
The Dougan family had been on the way to meet her husband, Christian, in Florida.
Authorities say Reagan had rented the SUV for the drive from Raleigh, North Carolina.
Georgia State Trooper Christopher Ashdown told the Associated Press the SUV struck the rear of a white Infiniti sedan while traveling at a high rate of speed. A witness said the vehicle hit the center guardrail before it erupted in flames.
The driver of the other vehicle survived and was transported to the hospital. The crash shut down the highway for four hours as authorities investigated. The cause of the collision is still under investigation.
”A very loving and kind person”
The news of the family’s deaths has shaken both the Raleigh neighborhood where they had recently moved and the Florida community where they were heading.
Christopher “Jonesy” Butler-Jones, a friend of the family, spoke through tears to WTVD: ”I’m still in shock. [Her husband] 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, is to always have an amazing family and be a mother. She was very dedicated. Her kids were everything to her.”
He remembered her not only as a loving mom but also as the kind of friend who could light up your darkest days. ”If you’re upset, you can call her and she’s going to make you happy,” he said. ”She’s going to show you the brighter side of it.”
A community in mourning
Back in Raleigh, neighbors are grappling with the sudden loss of a family they were just beginning to know. Jason Flores, a neighbor, told WRAL:
”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.”
Though they hadn’t lived there long, the family made a big impression. Children could often be seen playing outside, climbing trees, and laughing in their front yard.
Christian’s stepmother, Sarah Stoltman, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses and transport the family’s remains to Florida.
The campaign, which aims to raise $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 is going to endure moving his family from Georgia to their final resting place in Florida,” Stoltman wrote.
Across social media, tributes have poured in from friends and strangers alike.
Photographer Katrina Cusatis, who had captured maternity photos for the Dougan family last fall, shared 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 in any way they could. ”If you feel led, there is a GoFundMe to support them during this time.”
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 an indelible mark on everyone who knew them. Friends describe Reagan as a light — a woman who loved deeply, lived joyfully, and mothered with all her heart.
In the words of her friend Jonesy, ”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.”
