Engaged Couple Expecting 1st Child Die in Wrong-Way Thanksgiving Crash

Three people died in a wrong-way Thanksgiving Day crash on Interstate 75 in Hillsborough, Florida, local media reported.

The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that Justin B. Lakin, 21, of Bradenton, Yvette R. Alexandre, 21, of Ruskin, and Lashay D. Waiters, 24, of Bradenton, were in the crash, according to Brandenton.com. They were taken to Tampa General Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

(Florida Highway Patrol)

Lakin was driving a Toyota Corolla northward in the southbound center lane on I-75 after 10 p.m., police said.

A 2009 Ford Focus driven by Waiters was traveling south on I-75 when they were hit by Larkin’s vehicle. Alexandre was in the car with Waiters.

Alexandre and Waiters had recently gotten engaged, family members told the outlet. They had planned to get married in January of next year.

Suzette Alexandre wrote on her Facebook Friday, “We will miss their (b)eautiful faces and smile. My Baby girl Yvette Alexandre and her fiance Lashay we will always love you guys.”

WFLA reported that the couple was heading home after dropping off a friend. The couple both attended the University of Central Florida in Orlando, where they met.

According to the Daily Mail, Yvette had written that she was pregnant two weeks after announcing their engagement.

Police said they’re not sure why Lakin was driving the wrong way. According to WWSB, all passengers were wearing seatbelts and alcohol wasn’t a factor in the crash.

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