Glen Collard, Tracey Collard, Two Lives Lost in Placer County I-80 Crash, Loved Ones Remember.
A heartbreaking loss has touched the Applegate community following a tragic crash in Placer County that claimed the lives of a devoted married couple who were rarely seen apart.
Glen “Jesse” Collard, 64, and his wife, Tracey Collard, 60, passed away Wednesday afternoon after a single-vehicle incident on westbound Interstate 80 near Weimar Cross Road, according to local authorities. The couple had been married for just over 41 years, and to those who knew them, their bond was inseparable.
Family members say that while the loss is devastating, there is a bittersweet sense of understanding in knowing they were together until the very end. Their daughter, Danielle Kane, shared that the family is still processing the news, but that it feels fitting in a way that reflects their lifelong partnership.
“They loved each other deeply,” she said. “There was never one without the other.”
Friends and relatives describe Jesse and Tracey as warm, kindhearted people who made a lasting impression on everyone they met. Tracey’s older sister, Nikki Curran, said the couple was the happiest married pair she had ever known. She had spoken with Tracey just a day before the crash while making plans to visit.
Jesse, known for his humor and easygoing nature, had a gift for turning strangers into friends. He always had a story to tell or a joke ready, and his presence could light up a room. Family members fondly recall how he took good-natured teasing in stride, especially about his height, and how his warmth never wavered.
Tracey, on the other hand, was quieter at first but just as loving once you got to know her. She was an avid reader who always had a book close by, often recommending her latest favorite to family members. Her daughter remembers her happiest moments working in libraries, particularly in the children’s section during storytime, where her love for books truly shined.
Together, Jesse and Tracey lived simple, generous lives. They didn’t seek recognition, but whenever they saw someone in need, they helped however they could. They also worked side by side at an Auburn hotel, where Jesse handled maintenance and Tracey helped with breakfast service.
Jesse loved fishing and made it a family tradition, introducing each child to the hobby with their own fishing pole. Even when Tracey didn’t fish herself, she still joined him, content just to be near, holding a flashlight and sharing the moment.
In the wake of this loss, the family has shared that memorial fundraisers have been created to help with funeral expenses, and they are grateful for the outpouring of support, prayers, and kind messages from the community.
Jesse and Tracey Collard will be remembered not just for the lives they lived, but for the love they shared — a love that left a lasting mark on everyone fortunate enough to know them.
