Young Mom and Four Children Die in Fiery Crash on the Way to See Their Dad — A Family’s Final Journey Ends in Tragedy

A family road trip meant to reunite a mother, her children, and her husband ended in unspeakable tragedy on a Georgia highway — leaving loved ones across two states shattered and a father mourning the loss of everything dearest to him.

It was just after dawn on Sunday, April 6, 2025, when 27-year-old Reagan Dougan buckled her four children — a 9-year-old boy, a 4-year-old boy, a 2-year-old girl, and her 3-month-old baby — into a rented Jeep Cherokee. They had set off from Raleigh, North Carolina, headed south on I-95 toward Florida, where Reagan’s husband, Christian, was waiting to greet them.

Perhaps the kids were still sleepy from the early start. Maybe there were a few giggles from the backseat, a snack passed forward, or a quick song on the radio to keep the miles moving. Like countless other families making the same journey, their SUV carried not just luggage — but laughter, love, and plans for the hours ahead.

Those plans ended in an instant.

The Crash That Changed Everything

According to Georgia State Patrol, at around 6 a.m., Reagan’s SUV collided with the back of a white Infiniti sedan in McIntosh County. The impact sent the Jeep careening into the center guardrail. Within moments, it erupted in flames.

Witnesses could only watch in horror as the fire consumed the vehicle. By the time first responders arrived, Reagan and all four children were gone.

The driver of the Infiniti survived and was taken to the hospital. Authorities closed the interstate for four hours as they investigated. Trooper Christopher Ashdown told the Associated Press that speed was a factor in the collision, though the full cause remains under review.

A Mother Remembered for Her Love

The loss has rippled across two communities — the Raleigh neighborhood the family had only recently moved into and the Florida town they were traveling to that morning.

Family friend Christopher “Jonesy” Butler-Jones fought back tears speaking to local news. “I’m still in shock. Christian lost his entire family in one morning. It’s just heart-wrenching,” he said.

Jonesy described Reagan as a woman whose life revolved around her children. “That was her dream — to have a family and be the best mom she could be. She was dedicated. Those kids were her everything. If you were having a bad day, you could call her, and she’d find a way to make you smile. She had a gift for showing you the brighter side of life.”

Neighbors and Friends in Mourning

In Raleigh, neighbors recall the Dougans as warm and welcoming despite only having been there a short time. Jason Flores remembered exchanging smiles and waves. “She always had a smile on her face. The kids were always laughing, playing outside, climbing trees. You could smell the food cooking — it always smelled good.”

Even from a distance, they’d left an impression as a family full of life.

A Community Steps Up

Christian’s stepmother, Sarah Stoltman, created a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses and return the family’s remains to Florida.

“While Christian works with his and Reagan’s family to begin mourning these five beautiful souls, we cannot even fathom the financial burden it’s going to take to bring them from Georgia to their final resting place,” she wrote.

The goal was set at $120,000; within days, more than $88,000 had been donated. Contributions poured in not only from friends and relatives but from strangers moved by the enormity of the loss.

Photographer Katrina Cusatis, who had taken the family’s maternity photos last fall, shared her grief on Facebook. “Their love, joy, and connection were unforgettable. My heart is completely broken. Please pray for Christian and help however you can.”

Reagan’s childhood friend, Cecily Corinne Borquez, posted a photo of them together as kids. “You were the life of the party, 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 That Lives On in Love

For those who knew Reagan, her legacy is simple but profound — a woman who loved deeply, laughed easily, and mothered with her whole heart.

Jonesy put it best: “There was always a warmth around her. She made you believe there was light at the end of any tunnel.”

Though the fire took her and her children far too soon, the light they carried continues to shine in the stories, the memories, and the love they left behind.