Tragic Jet Ski Accident on Grapevine Lake
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 325 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.
Investigation and Arrests
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, authorities said.
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 Alexander Coello Perozo, 21. He also was arrested Tuesday in Dallas. According to his arrest affidavit, he admitted to police that he aided Gonzalez Gonzalez in evading police and the two were found with a packed suitcase when they were arrested.
Charges and Investigation
According to authorities, Gonzalez Gonzalez faces a felony manslaughter charge, while her arrest affidavit also lists charges of reckless operation and excessive speed and leaving the scene of an accident involving death. 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.
Immigration Status and Detention
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.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security later said Wednesday afternoon that Gonzalez Gonzalez entered the country illegally on Sept. 28, 2023, while Coello Perozo entered illegally on January 22, 2023.
Both are now in removal proceedings, and ICE lodged immigration detainers with the Grapevine Police Department following their arrests, according to the department.
Texas Parks and Wildlife and Grapevine officials held a news 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, Texas.(Matt Kyle / The Dallas Morning News)
Victim and Family
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.”
Death Penalty and Statewide Attention
The case has gained statewide attention, as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a news release Tuesday announcing the arrests. Paxton also appeared on FOX News’ The Will Cain Show on Wednesday to discuss the case.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also made a post Tuesday on X in which he appeared to advocate for the death penalty to be applied in the case.
“Welcome to Texas. Here’s your death penalty,” Abbott wrote in a post in response to a news report about the incident.
Officials did not say at the news conference Wednesday if they intend to seek the death penalty in this case. The Tarrant County District Attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a question sent to the office’s media coordinator that asked if the county intends to seek the death penalty.
Under Texas law, offenders may be sentenced to death if convicted of capital murder. Capital murder includes the murder of a peace officer or firefighter; murder during the commission or attempted commission of kidnapping, burglary, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, arson, terroristic threat or obstruction or retaliation; murder for hire; murder during an escape from a penal institution; murder of someone younger than 15; or murder committed while incarcerated in a penal institution and serving a life sentence or 99 year sentence for certain violent crimes.
Conclusion
The tragic incident on Grapevine Lake has left a community in mourning and raised questions about the application of the death penalty in Texas. As the investigation continues and the suspects face charges, the family of Ava Moore and the community will be watching closely to see how justice is served.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened on Grapevine Lake?
A: A woman operating a Jet Ski at a high rate of speed struck and killed a kayaker, 18-year-old Ava Moore, on Grapevine Lake over Memorial Day weekend.
Q: Who were the suspects in the case?
A: The suspects were identified as Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez, 21, and Maikel Alexander Coello Perozo, 21, both Venezuelan nationals who were in the United States illegally.
