Tributes honor Kristen Beard DeLaney after fatal boat crash, ALEA investigation continues

Tributes are pouring in for a Mobile woman killed in a boating accident Saturday. Family, friends and community organizations are remembering Kristen Beard DeLaney for her faith, leadership and dedication to others. Social media posts are honoring her life and the impact she made on the community. Beard Equipment Company said "kindness, compassion, integrity and unwavering commitment to the people she cared about left a lasting impression on our company and on so many of us personally. Kristen was more than a colleague. She was a friend, a leader and a cherished part of the Beard Equipment family." UMS-Wright also paid tribute to DeLaney, a 1997 graduate, saying she embodied the school's values of kindness, generosity and servant leadership. The school highlighted her service as co-chair of its Board of Trustees, her dedication as an alumna and devoted mother. "Kristen poured her heart into UMS-Wright. She believed deeply in the UMS-Wright mission and was unwavering in her commitment to our students." The Child Advocacy Center, where DeLaney served as a board member, also remembered her for her commitment to helping children and families in need. The Mobile Big Game Fishing Club in a social media post said DeLaney was "a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished daughter, sister and friend. Her love for her family and the joy she brought to those around her will never be forgotten." Organizations expressed condolences to her husband, Drew, their daughters, Helen and Rosemary, and the entire DeLaney and Beard families. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency released a press release Sunday afternoon. In the release, ALEA said the two-vessel crash that killed the 46-year-old happened at about 8:10 p.m. Saturday, July 18, in the Intracoastal Waterway near Wolf Bay in Baldwin County. According to ALEA, Delaney was a passenger on a 27-foot 2024 Albury Brothers vessel that collided with a 23-foot 2013 Key West vessel operated by Cameron Neil, 32, of Houma, Louisiana. ALEA said Delaney was taken to South Baldwin Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. ALEA said Brooks Delaney, 51, of Fairhope, who was also a passenger on the Albury Brothers vessel, was injured and taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola for treatment. The operator of that vessel was identified as Drew Delaney, 49, of Mobile. Including the operator, ALEA said there were eight people aboard the Albury Brothers vessel. On the Key West vessel, ALEA said Neil was injured and taken to Sacred Heart Hospital. The agency said passengers Talyn Faulkner, 25, of Raceland, Louisiana; John Lyle, 28, of Houma, Louisiana; and Rayford Reeves, 34, of Schriever, Louisiana, were also injured and taken to Sacred Heart Hospital. Including the operator, ALEA said there were eight people aboard that vessel as well. ALEA said that outside of those injured, everyone involved and both vessels were transported to the Wharf Docks in Orange Beach. ALEA says this is an ongoing investigation.