Fiancée mourns 'devoted dad' Alex Price, killed in crash: 'He will be in my heart forever'

PORTSMOUTH — Alex Price and Jordan Jones never knew they would be dating after graduating together from Exeter High School, let alone having a child and starting a life together.

They reconnected well after their 2016 graduation, fell in love and nearly two years ago had their first child. They had moved to Portsmouth and were looking forward to being married when a car crash took Price’s life Thursday, May 4.

“We were supposed to get married,” Jones said Tuesday, the day of Price’s wake. “This wasn’t supposed to happen.”

Price, 25, was driving northbound on Route 1 in North Hampton in the evening, when another driver heading south veered into his lane and struck his car, according to New Hampshire State Police. Price succumbed to injuries from the crash after being transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital, police said. The other driver, Matthew Meisner, was in critical condition as of Friday.

Previous story: Seacoast dad, 25, killed in Route 1 crash, leaving 'devastated' young family

Jones and Price’s other family and loved ones were preparing to hold private services for Price following visiting hours Tuesday at Remick and Gendron Funeral Home and Crematory. She said Price was a loving father and fiancé who always put his family first.

“He was so thoughtful, always making sure me and Carter had everything we needed,” Jones said. “He will be in my heart forever.”

Jones: 'He always took care of us'

Jones and Price were both raised in Exeter, according to Jones, but lost contact after high school. It was about two years after graduation when a mutual friend connected Price and Jones. Price asked Jones to go on a date, and Jones said she was nervous until their friend nudged her to give it a shot.

“I can’t thank her enough,” Jones said. “We hit it off.”

Jones and Price loved staying in together watching movies, often horror films by Jones’ choice. They were not his type of movie, but he watched them for her, she said. They also took turns on Friday nights choosing the movie they would see each week at the theater.

Once Carter was born in 2021, Price looked forward to family time with both Jones and their son. They went shopping, got dinner, played in the park, went for walks outside and visited the beach on nice days.

In his free time, Jones said, Price loved video games and often stayed up late. He always checked if that was OK with Jones before doing so, and he made sure to get Carter’s bottles in the middle of the night so Jones could sleep.

“He always wanted to make sure that Carter and I were taken care of,” Jones said. “There’s no words I can truly express of how good of a father he really was.”

Fatal crash rocks family

Price was working the night of May 4 delivering DoorDash and was on his way home when he began driving north on Route 1, according to Jones. The last she heard from him was a message at 8:21 p.m. — feel free to eat the Chinese food leftovers in the fridge, he said.

It was almost an hour and half later that police responded to the intersection of Route 1 and Granite Road at 9:44 p.m. There they found Price’s 2007 Hyundai Tucson had been struck by Meisner's 2007 Honda Civic. Meisner had drifted over two double-yellow lines and a continuous middle lane to strike Price’s vehicle, according to police.

New Hampshire State Police have not charged Meisner in the crash, according to police spokesperson Amber Lagace, adding the investigation is ongoing. Meisner was at Portsmouth Regional Hospital Friday in critical condition, but Monday hospital spokesperson Ellen Miller said he was no longer a patient there and couldn't share his status. Lagace said her agency could not comment on his status or location due to the investigation.

Price’s family was devastated by the crash, Jones’ aunt Jen Jackman saying the next day that they had not slept since learning the news.

“Our family is in absolute shock and completely devastated that Carter won't get to know his dad," said Jen Jackman, who is Jones' aunt. "Alex was a devoted dad."

Price known throughout the community for love of basketball

Price was known from a young age as an avid basketball player who played in local youth leagues when he was 8 years old. He became involved in Journeyman Basketball before he was technically old enough to join, and from there he became the organization’s most prized player, according to Journeyman President J.P. Sanborn.

Beyond his skill, Sanborn said Price loved helping others and was coaching kids when he was just 13 years old.

“Although his playing career can be easily described as legendary, Alex’s greatest achievement was the impact he had on literally hundreds of young players,” a memorial post to Price stated on the Journeyman Facebook page. The organization said they were retiring Price’s number 24 in his honor.

At Exeter High School, coach Jeff Holmes also said Price was a good player on a great team, but also a wonderful person. The Exeter High School community mourned his loss last week with Principal Michael Monahan describing Price as a “tremendous kid.”

"Wonderful young man," said Holmes. "Just a really kind, sweet guy."

At Martha's Restaurant in Hampton Falls Friday, the owner and staff remembered Price as one of their past employees, and as a genuine person and a loving father. Owner George Abourizk said Price worked for a little over a year at Martha's in either 2019 or 2020.

Cayla Lynn, who works at Martha's, said Price was always good to his young son, Carter.

"Alex was such a great, kind and wonderful father. May you rest in peace and love be with your family during this time," Lynn wrote on Facebook Friday. "Love everyone from Martha's Restaurant."

GoFundMe raises $37K to help young family

Since the crash, a GoFundMe page has raised $37,327 to go specifically towards helping Jones raise Carter. Jones said she is devastated but thankful for the love that community members have shared with her and the generosity they have shown.

“I can’t thank everyone enough for how much they’ve donated and all the love and support,” Jones said. “I’m still in shock at how much has been donated to my son and I. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Fiancée mourns Alex Price, 25, Exeter grad killed in Route 1 crash