In a devastating turn of events, 36-year-old Reagan Dougan, a devoted mother of four, lost her life alongside her young children in a fiery car crash on I-95 South in McIntosh County, Georgia. The family had been traveling to Florida to reunite with the children’s father when their journey came to a tragic end.
The collision occurred when the rented SUV Reagan was driving struck the back of a white Infiniti sedan at high speed. The impact was so severe that it caused the SUV to erupt in flames, killing all five passengers inside—Reagan and her children, ages 9, 4, 2, and just 3 months old.
Georgia State Trooper Christopher Ashdown, one of the first responders on the scene, reported that the sheer force of the impact likely caused the fire. “Seeing how hard the impact was obviously caused the SUV to ignite,” he told reporters. The driver of the Infiniti survived but sustained injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. The incident remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the exact cause of the crash.
A Mother Remembered: “Her Kids Were Her World”
The loss of Reagan and her children has sent shockwaves through her community and beyond. Friends and family have come forward to honor her memory, describing her as a deeply loving mother and a light in the lives of those who knew her.
Christopher “Jonesy” Butler-Jones, a close friend of the family, struggled through tears as he spoke with local news outlet WTVD. “I’m still in shock. Her husband lost his entire family. It’s just heart-wrenching,” he said.
Butler-Jones recalled Reagan’s unwavering devotion to her children. “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. “If you were upset, you could call her and she would lift you up. She always showed you the brighter side of things.”
A Community in Mourning
The tragedy has deeply affected those who knew Reagan, even from afar. Lindsey Marie, another friend, shared her grief on social media: “I can’t imagine what her poor husband and family are feeling. My heart is broken — tomorrow is never promised. I just have no words.” She ended her tribute with a heartbreaking message: “Rest in peace, angel. You have NO idea how loved you were by so many.”
Photographer Katrina Cusatis, who had captured intimate maternity photos for Reagan just last fall, also expressed her sorrow on Facebook. “My heart is completely broken over this unimaginable tragedy. Their love, joy, and connection were truly unforgettable,” she wrote, sharing photos that now serve as precious, lasting memories of a mother’s deep love for her children.
Supporting a Grieving Father
In the wake of this unimaginable loss, the family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to support Reagan’s husband, Christian Dougan. The funds raised will assist with funeral costs and the difficult logistics of laying Reagan and her four children to rest in Florida.
Christian’s stepmother, Stoltman, who organized the fundraiser, wrote, “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.”
The response from friends, loved ones, and strangers alike has been overwhelming, with many offering words of support, donations, and prayers to help the family through this difficult time.
Honoring the Memory of Five Beautiful Lives
The lives lost in this tragedy are irreplaceable. Reagan Dougan was not only a devoted mother but a friend, a light, and a source of joy and comfort to those around her. Her children, though young, were deeply loved and cherished beyond words.
This heartbreaking event serves as a reminder of how fragile life can be—and how important it is to hold close the ones we love. The outpouring of support from the community demonstrates just how much Reagan and her children were loved and how their legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those they touched.
As the Dougan family begins the painful journey of grief and healing, the community stands with them, honoring the memory of five beautiful souls gone far too soon.