A 23-year-old woman from Lena, Mississippi, died early Sunday morning after two boats collided on the Ross Barnett Reservoir north of Goshen Springs. Madison Alford was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Rankin County Coroner David Ruth. Four other people were injured, and two escaped unharmed. Bystanders helped pull victims from the water before emergency crews arrived, and multiple agencies responded, including Reservoir Police, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and UMMC AirCare.
Authorities say both boat operators, Nelson Jimenez and Nathan Rhinewalt, now face felony DUI charges for boating under the influence. Each was issued a $100,000 bond. Reservoir Police are leading the investigation.
For Suncoast boaters, the case is a reminder that Florida treats boating under the influence the same way it treats driving under the influence. It’s a criminal charge, not a warning. Late-night runs across Sarasota Bay or down the Intracoastal carry the same legal weight as any drive down Tamiami Trail, and the water offers far fewer second chances.
What’s your rule for a safe night on the water? Do you assign a designated captain before you leave the dock?
