On February 12, 2026, our world shattered.

At just 24 years old, Deandre JuJuan Lilly was taken from us in a fatal car accident caused by a drunk driver. A reckless decision stole a son, a baby brother, a protector, a best friend — and our gentle giant.

Deandre was love in human form.

He was funny without trying. Sweet beyond words. So mannerful and respectful. He listened when you needed someone to hear you. He showed up when you needed help. He would give you the shirt off his back without hesitation. Everyone who met him loved him. You couldn’t help it.

He was the baby brother to two brothers who looked up to him just as much as he looked up to them. He was protective. Smart. Hardworking. Driven.

He loved football. He loved cooking. He loved being around his friends. Most of all, he loved spending time with his girlfriend — who tragically also lost her life in the same accident. Our hearts are grieving two beautiful souls at once.

Deandre worked in a warehouse operating forklifts and also worked as a cook. He wasn’t afraid of hard work. He had already started the process of building his own truck driving company. He had real plans. Real goals. Real ambition. He was building something for his future.

And now we are planning his funeral instead.

To make this even more painful, his body is currently in Virginia. We must travel out of state and cover transportation expenses to bring him back home where he belongs so we can lay him to rest surrounded by the people who love him.

His mother had just started a new job and had not yet been able to add him to her insurance. We were not financially prepared for something like this. On top of funeral and burial expenses, we are now facing:

• Transportation costs from Virginia to bring him home

• Travel expenses for family

• Funeral and burial services

• Memorial arrangements

• Legal fees to pursue justice against the drunk driver responsible

• Loss of income due to time away from work during this devastating period

Grief alone is heavy. The financial burden makes it almost unbearable.

We are seeking to raise $9,000 to cover these expenses and to help our family survive this tragic and unexpected loss.

A drunk driver made a choice. And now we are living with the consequences of that choice for the rest of our lives.

If you knew Deandre, you know he would be the first person donating if this were someone else. That’s just who he was.

Please help us bring our gentle giant home. Please help us give him the farewell he deserves. Please help us fight for justice in his name.

No amount is too small. If you cannot donate, please share and pray for our family.

We are broken. But we are grateful for any support.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.