Local News
Jayden Barreto Died After Jumping From Chimney Rock at Lake Martin During Graduation Celebration
A tragic accident at Chimney Rock claimed the life of 24-year-old Jayden Barreto, a Georgia man who was celebrating his college graduation with friends at Lake Martin, authorities confirmed.
According to Elmore County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Bill Franklin, Barreto, who was from the Columbus, Georgia area, was spending time at the popular lake destination Wednesday with a group of friends when the incident occurred.
Investigators said Barreto jumped from Chimney Rock, a well-known cliff-jumping location on Lake Martin, but never resurfaced after entering the water.
Emergency crews from multiple agencies quickly responded to the scene and launched a large-scale search and recovery operation after reports of a missing swimmer.
Authorities said divers spent several hours searching the water under difficult conditions before locating Barreto’s body approximately 50 feet underwater on a submerged shelf beneath the cliff area. Officials noted the water depth extended at least another 70 feet beyond that point.
Sheriff Franklin described the dangers associated with jumping from Chimney Rock, warning that the impact can be extremely dangerous depending on how a person enters the water.
“The jump from Chimney Rock is like hitting a sheet of glass from 60 feet up,” Franklin said. “It all depends on how your body hits the water.”
At approximately 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, Montgomery Fire Rescue confirmed that the missing swimmer had been located deceased and recovered from the lake following the extensive underwater search effort.
In a statement, Montgomery Fire Rescue said crews worked alongside several partner agencies during the prolonged recovery mission.
“Crews worked alongside multiple partner agencies in a coordinated and extended search effort under challenging conditions,” the department stated.
Officials said Montgomery Fire Rescue deployed six divers who conducted systematic underwater search operations before locating Barreto.
Several agencies assisted in the operation, including the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Delta Division Dive Team, Montgomery EMA, and Elmore EMA.
Authorities said Barreto’s body was transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy.
The tragedy has left family members, friends, and the local community mourning the loss of the young graduate whose celebration turned fatal in a matter of moments.
Officials continue reminding the public about the serious dangers associated with cliff jumping and deep-water recreation areas, particularly at heavily visited locations like Chimney Rock on Lake Martin.
Local News
Megan Mazzoleni, 29, Killed in Head-On Crash on Edwards Ridge Road in Tuscarawas County, Ohio
TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, Ohio — A devastating head-on collision in Rush Township claimed the life of 29-year-old Megan Mazzoleni of Gnadenhutten and left three other people, including two young children, needing emergency medical care.
The crash occurred at approximately 7:52 a.m. on November 2 along Edwards Ridge Road, south of Ridge Road. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the collision involved a Ford Focus and a Kia Telluride traveling in opposite directions.
The tragic incident has left families facing an unimaginable loss while the injured victims receive medical attention.
According to the Highway Patrol, Mazzoleni was driving southbound in a Ford Focus with a 6-year-old boy seated in the back. The child was reportedly properly secured with a seat belt.
At the same time, 43-year-old Shanon Matsel of Port Washington was traveling northbound in a Kia Telluride. A second 6-year-old boy was riding in the back seat of her vehicle and was also properly restrained.
Investigators reported that the Ford Focus traveled left of center and struck the Kia Telluride head-on.
The collision caused severe damage and left occupants requiring assistance from emergency crews.
Mazzoleni was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Authorities reported that she became trapped inside the vehicle and had to be extricated by rescue personnel.
Despite the emergency response, she suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Tuscarawas County Coroner.
Her death at just 29 years old is a heartbreaking loss for her family, friends and everyone who knew her. A life that held so much possibility was cut short in a sudden and devastating collision.
Matsel, who was wearing a seat belt, also had to be extricated from her vehicle by emergency responders.
She was transported to Union Hospital by Uhrichsville EMS for medical treatment. Further details about the severity of her injuries were not provided in the available report.
Both 6-year-old boys involved in the crash were also transported for emergency medical care. Due to the seriousness of the situation, medical helicopters flew the children to Akron Children’s Hospital.
The children had reportedly been properly secured in their respective vehicles. Their conditions have not been disclosed in the information provided.
Several emergency and support agencies responded to the crash, including the Arrowhead and Uhrichsville fire departments, emergency medical personnel, towing crews and the Tuscarawas County Coroner’s Office.
Their response involved assisting the trapped occupants, providing medical care and managing the aftermath of the collision.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that drugs and alcohol are not suspected as contributing factors in the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.
According to the preliminary information, the Ford Focus crossed left of center before striking the Kia Telluride. Authorities have not provided additional details about what caused the vehicle to leave its lane.
The loss of Megan Mazzoleni is a painful reminder of how quickly a routine morning can turn into a life-changing tragedy.
At just 29, she had so much life ahead of her. Her sudden death has left loved ones grieving and facing a future without someone who mattered deeply to them.
Thoughts and prayers are also with Shanon Matsel and the two young boys as they receive medical care and begin the difficult process of recovery.
May Megan Mazzoleni rest in eternal peace. May her family and friends find strength and comfort during this heartbreaking time, and may Shanon and both children make a full recovery.