A quiet late-night outing on the water turned into a tragedy early Sunday morning when two boats slammed into each other on the Ross Barnett Reservoir. The crash claimed the life of 23-year-old Madison Alford, a Lena, Mississippi native whose sudden death has left her hometown in shock.
The wreck happened around 1:02 a.m. in the dark waters north of Goshen Springs in Rankin County. Seven people were spread across the two boats when the collision occurred, sending panic through the area as victims struggled in the water.
Before emergency crews could even arrive, local bystanders who heard the crash rushed toward the scene. They pulled several injured passengers out of the water and helped stabilize the situation while waiting for first responders.
Madison Alford was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash. Four other passengers suffered injuries and needed immediate medical transport, while two remaining individuals managed to walk away unharmed.
Multiple rescue agencies flooded the scene shortly after midnight. Teams from the Reservoir Police Department, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Rankin County Emergency Operations, the Goshen Fire Department, Pafford Ambulance, and UMMC AirCare all worked together to care for the injured.
Investigators quickly turned their focus to the two men operating the vessels. Police identified the captains as 22-year-old Nelson Jimenez and 21-year-old Nathan Rhinewalt, booking both into the Rankin County Detention Center shortly after the crash.
Both Jimenez and Rhinewalt now face felony charges for boating under the influence. As law enforcement officers continue gathering evidence to piece together the moments before impact, Madison’s family and friends are left grieving a young life cut short.
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