FULTON, Miss. — A small Mississippi town is grieving after a 14‑year‑old boy died Friday evening in a fiery collision at a rural crossroads that changed lives in an instant. Gavin Bryce Boswell, a young life full of energy and dreams, was killed right there on the spot when two vehicles slammed into each other at the intersection of Highway 76 and Highway 23 just before 5 p.m. on February 6.
Boswell was one of four children in a 2016 Kia Optima that was hit by a 2016 Chrysler 200, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol. The Chrysler, driven by 22‑year‑old Kelli J. Franklin of Hernando, was heading westbound when it struck the Kia, driven by 36‑year‑old Wendy J. Mayhall of Tremont.
First responders rushed to the scene as dusk settled over Itawamba County. Emergency crews pronounced Gavin dead at the scene. His family described him afterward as someone with a “bright spirit” who lit up every room he walked into. A GoFundMe set up by a relative says his sudden loss has left his loved ones in shock and struggling with immediate expenses as they prepare to say goodbye.
The other children in the Kia were hurt, too. One was taken to Red Bay Hospital, while two others were airlifted to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis for more advanced care. Both drivers — Franklin and Mayhall — were also injured and taken to nearby hospitals.
People who knew Gavin say he was the kind of kid who loved being outside, whether hunting, fishing, or playing any sport he could find. When he wasn’t outdoors, he could be found gaming with friends or laughing with family. Those simple joys defined him more than his age ever could.
Friends and relatives have filled social media with photos and memories, painting a picture of a life that seemed to have so much ahead of it. Plans for memorial services are already being made in nearby Tennessee, where Gavin’s family will gather to share stories and find comfort together.
At this stage of the investigation, state troopers have not released information about what caused the crash or whether charges will follow. The Mississippi Highway Patrol says it will provide updates as more facts come in.
