1 dead, 4 injured in 2-boat collision; both operators face DUI charges

RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT/Gray News) - One person is dead and four others were injured after two boats collided early Sunday on the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Mississippi, authorities said.

According to officials, the Reservoir Police Department responded to reports of the crash located north of Goshen Springs at around 1 a.m. Sunday morning. Bystanders in the area rushed in to help the victims until emergency crews arrived.

The Reservoir Police Department said four people were injured in the crash and two people were uninjured.

Rankin County Coroner David Ruth said 23-year-old Madison Alford of Lena died in the crash.

Officials said two boat operators, Nelson Jimenez and Nathan Rhinewalt, will be charged with felony DUI for boating under the influence. Each was issued a $100,000 bond.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the Rankin County Emergency Operations Center, Goshen Fire Department, Pafford Ambulance and UMMC AirCare assisted at the crash scene.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the individual who lost their life, as well as everyone affected by this tragic incident,” officials said in a statement.