In Loving Memory of James E. Owens Jr. and Justin E. Carlee
Chilton County, Alabama is grieving a heartbreaking tragedy after a fatal head-on collision along U.S. Highway 82 claimed the lives of two men early Monday morning. The crash occurred near the 99-mile marker, just west of Maplesville — a stretch of road now forever marked by sorrow, memories, and unanswered questions.
Authorities state that 20-year-old James E. Owens Jr., of Tuscaloosa, was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro when it collided head-on with a 2016 Toyota Tundra driven by 42-year-old Justin E. Carlee, a resident of Maplesville. The force of the impact was devastating. Despite emergency responders arriving quickly, both men were pronounced dead at the scene, leaving two families and two communities shattered by loss.
Remembering James E. Owens Jr.
James, only 20 years old, was in the early chapters of adulthood — a time when hope is high, dreams are bold, and the world feels full of possibilities. He was a son, a friend, a young man still building his story.
Those who knew James describe him as energetic, kind-hearted, and always ready with a smile. He had goals, ambitions, and a future that stretched miles ahead. To lose him at such a young age is emotionally crushing for his family and friends. His absence leaves a quiet, aching space where laughter and promise once lived.
His memory will live in the hearts of those who loved him — in the moments he made people laugh, the support he gave, and the love he shared.
Remembering Justin E. Carlee
Justin Carlee, 42, was a cherished member of the Maplesville community. A husband, a father, a friend, and a hardworking man who was deeply rooted in the people and places around him. Known for his reliability, his steady presence, and his devotion to those he cared about, Justin’s sudden passing leaves behind a heavy void.
His family now faces a reality no family should — navigating life without the warm voice, strong guidance, and everyday love he gave so readily. He leaves behind memories full of meaning, laughter shared, lessons taught, and love given without hesitation.
Two Lives, One Tragedy
Though their paths were different, James and Justin’s lives crossed in a moment that none could have predicted. Their families may not have known one another, but they are now forever connected through shared grief — two circles of love mourning two lives lost too soon.
A tragedy like this reminds us how fragile life truly is — how in a single moment everything can change. It calls us to hold tighter to the people we love, speak kindness when we can, and cherish every sunrise we are blessed to see.
May Their Memories Be a Blessing
To the families, friends, and loved ones of James and Justin:
May you find strength in one another.
May you be surrounded by compassion and support.
May the memories of your loved ones bring comfort on the hard days
and gentle smiles on the days when the heaviness lifts just enough to breathe.
Their time here, though shorter than anyone wished, mattered deeply.
Their love carries on in every heart they touched. Rest in peace, James E. Owens Jr. Rest in peace, Justin E. Carlee. Gone too soon, but never forgotten.
