‘Tragic’: Woman arrested in fatal jet ski hit-and-run was speeding, close to shore
Police said Ava Moore, 18, was kayaking on the lake when she was struck by a jet ski and later died from her injuries.
www.dallasnews.com
Ava Moore, 18, was killed while kayaking on Grapevine Lake.
Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez
is accused of driving the jet ski that struck her.
By Matt Kyle and Jamie Landers
Staff Writers
May 28, 2025
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Updated 41 minutes ago
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3 min. read
Texas Game Warden Captain Joseph Quintero speaks during a news conference, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Grapevine, regarding the jet ski incident that happened on Sunday.(Chitose Suzuki / Staff Photographer)
A woman was operating a jet ski at a high rate of speed and close to the shore when she fatally struck a kayaker at Grapevine Lake over Memorial Day weekend, authorities said Wednesday at a news conference.
According to police, first responders were dispatched to the lake about 5:25 p.m. on Sunday to an area near Minnow Loop, in Oak Grove Park. Police said Ava Moore, 18, was kayaking on the lake when she was struck by a jet ski and later died from her injuries.
According to an arrest-warrant affidavit obtained by The Dallas Morning News, a person kayaking with Moore told police that the jet ski made multiple passes at high speed close to the shore and swimmers. The woman told police she and Moore decided to leave the area and were in the process of leaving when Moore was struck from behind by the jet ski.
The driver of the jet ski then fled the scene and left the lake with a man, and the pair hit two vehicles in the parking lot, authorities said. The passenger of the jet ski stayed on scene and spoke with police.
Moore was pronounced dead just before 6 p.m. while being transported to the hospital, according to the affidavit.
The driver of the jet ski was later identified as Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez, 21. She was arrested Tuesday in Dallas after police shared a picture of her on social media and asked the public for assistance in finding her.
The man who fled the lake with Gonzalez Gonzalez was identified as Maikel Coello Perozo, 21. He was also arrested Tuesday in Dallas.
According to the affidavit, Gonzalez Gonzalez faces a felony manslaughter charge and charges of reckless operation and excessive speed and leaving the scene of an accident involving death, while Coello Perozo faces charges of hindering apprehension and accident involving damage to a vehicle, which are both misdemeanors, authorities said.
Texas Game Warden Captain Joseph Quintero said at Wednesday’s news conference that more charges could be filed as the investigation continues, adding the next step is recreating the collision for a “clear picture of what happened that day.”
“It is a tragic, tragic situation, and I hope that people will take this and use this opportunity to not only remember Miss Moore, but also to remember to be safe on public waters,” Quintero said.
Joshua Johnson, the ICE Dallas acting field office director, said both suspects are Venezuelan nationals who were in the United States illegally. Johnson said they will appear before an immigration judge to decide if they should be deported.
Both were being held Wednesday in the Grapevine Detention Center, according to Amanda McNew, a Grapevine Police spokeswoman.
Texas Parks and Wildlife and Grapevine officials held a press conference Wednesday, May 28, 2025, about the death of Ava Moore, 18, who was kayaking on Grapevine Lake when she was struck by a jet ski and later died from her injuries, in Grapevine, TX.(Matt Kyle / The Dallas Morning News)
According to a GoFundMe, Moore was a 2024 graduate of Keller Timber Creek High School and had just completed her first year at the Air Force Preparatory School in Colorado Springs, Colo. She was a member of the prep school’s basketball team.
Makayla Moore, a Grapevine Police victim services advocate, read a statement Wednesday on behalf of Ava Moore’s family.
“We are so thankful for the countless messages and demonstrations of love and support, but most grateful for the many prayers we have received,” the statement read. “This is a difficult time for all involved, but also an opportunity for our beautiful girl to continue to impact our community.
“Out of this tragedy, God remained good, and that only can be accomplished through forgiveness.”
🕊🕊🕊
