GRAPEVINE, TX – A promising young life was tragically cut short at Grapevine Lake on Sunday when a newly graduated U.S. Air Force Academy student lost her life in a kayak collision.
Ava Moore, 18, was enjoying time on the water when authorities say her kayak was struck by a jet ski piloted recklessly by Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez, 21.
Witnesses alleged that Gonzalez was operating the jet ski erratically before the collision, according to arrest records. After the impact, Gonzalez reportedly fled the scene, leaving Moore critically injured.
Moore, who had been paddling alongside a fellow kayaker near the shoreline, was pulled from the water and attended to by emergency personnel. Despite their efforts, Moore was pronounced dead shortly before 6 p.m., before reaching medical facilities, leaving the Grapevine community in mourning and many questions unanswered about the circumstances of the crash.
Gonzalez was seen photographed at the accident site before reportedly escaping in a vehicle driven by Maikel Coello Perozo, 21, who also allegedly collided with two other cars during their departure. The pair was apprehended two days later at a residence in Dallas following a law enforcement operation.
According to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, both Gonzalez and Perozo are Venezuelan nationals residing in the U.S. without legal status. Gonzalez faces a charge of second-degree manslaughter, while Perozo has been charged in connection with the subsequent vehicular collisions. Further legal actions against them are presently anticipated.
Moore’s passing resonates beyond the local borders, deeply affecting the Air Force community, where she was known for her leadership and dedication. The incident underscores both the joy and potential danger of recreational activities on the lake, prompting calls for increased safety and enforcement measures in the area.
The investigation into the fatal collision and Ava Moore’s death continues as authorities work to piece together the events leading to the young cadet’s untimely death, seeking justice while supporting her family and friends in their time of profound loss.