An 18-year-old Air Force Academy preparatory school student was killed in a jet ski hit-and-run incident on Grapevine Lake in Texas on Sunday evening, May 25, 2025, according to law enforcement officials.
Ava Moore was kayaking near Oak Grove Park when she was struck by a jet ski carrying two female occupants. The jet ski was traveling at a high rate of speed and dangerously close to other people in the water, according to witness accounts provided to investigators.
Witnesses told police that Moore and other kayakers attempted to paddle away before she was struck from behind. Moore suffered severe head trauma and was pulled to shore by bystanders who immediately began life-saving measures. She was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The passenger on the jet ski remained at the scene to be interviewed by first responders, while the operator fled the area in a vehicle with an adult male. As they departed, the fleeing pair struck two separate vehicles while leaving the lake area.
Following a two-day investigation that generated more than 900 tips from the public, authorities arrested 21-year-old Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez and 21-year-old Maikel Coello Perozo on Tuesday, May 27. Both suspects were located at a residence in the 4700 block of Kildare Avenue in Oak Cliff, Dallas.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest included the Grapevine Police Department, Dallas Police Department, Texas Game Wardens, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations. Officers discovered the suspects had packed suitcases at the time of arrest, suggesting they intended to flee for an extended period.
Gonzalez has been charged with felony manslaughter in Moore’s death, while Perozo faces charges of collision involving damage to a vehicle and hindering apprehension, both misdemeanors. Additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
According to arrest affidavits, bystanders attempted to stop Gonzalez and Perozo from fleeing, but members of their group helped them escape to a nearby parking lot. Perozo admitted to police that he helped Gonzalez escape so she could avoid being captured for killing the victim.
Both suspects are Venezuelan nationals who entered the United States illegally. Gonzalez entered on September 28, 2023, and Perozo entered on January 22, 2023. They were initially arrested at the time of entry, processed for notices to appear, and released on their own recognizance. ICE has lodged immigration detainers for both individuals.
Moore was a 2024 graduate of Timber Creek High School in Fort Worth, where she was a standout basketball player. She helped lead the Lady Falcons to a 71-51 record across four years, including a 24-10 mark during her sophomore year in 2022 and a 17-14 record during her senior season.
The victim had recently graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School on May 19 and had accepted an appointment to join the academy as a member of the class of 2029. Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind described her as an exemplary teammate whose passion for leadership and service left an impact on everyone she met.
Texas Game Warden Capt. Joseph Quintero characterized the incident as a “tragic, unnecessary death” during a press briefing on Wednesday, May 28. He emphasized the ongoing investigation into whether proper permitting was obtained to operate the jet ski and if alcohol was a contributing factor.
Investigators used facial recognition software and police reports from other agencies to identify the suspects. Witness photographs and Ring doorbell footage helped track down their location. The passenger who remained at the scene has not been charged at this time.
Moore’s family issued a statement expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support while requesting privacy during their grieving process. They indicated that this difficult time presents an opportunity for their daughter to continue impacting the community and emphasized that good can come from tragedy through forgiveness.
The Texas Game Wardens are leading the water fatality investigation, while the Grapevine Police Department is handling the related automotive hit-and-run incidents. Authorities continue to investigate the ownership of the jet ski and whether it was rented for the occasion.
Sources:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/18-year-kayaker-killed-after-jet-ski-hit/story?id=122208248
https://people.com/jet-ski-driver-flees-after-allegedly-killing-18-year-old-kayaker-11742017
https://www.fox4news.com/news/jet-ski-grapevine-lake-hit-and-run
https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/texas-jet-ski-hit-and-run-manslaughter-charge-122272458
https://abcnews.go.com/US/arrest-made-jet-ski-hit-run-killing-texas/story?id=122242840
