Texas Teen Newly Enlisted in Air Force Killed in Jet Ski Hit-and-Run on Lake
Ava Moore, an 18-year-old Texas teen and rising basketball star, tragically lost her life on Sunday, May 25, 2025, after a horrific jet ski hit-and-run on Grapevine Lake. Moore, who had recently graduated from Fort Worth Timber Creek High School and joined the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School, was kayaking when she was struck by a jet ski. The incident has devastated her community, sparked a manhunt for the suspect, and reignited conversations about safety and immigration.
Texas Teen’s Promising Future Cut Short
Ava Moore was more than just a high school athlete — she was a driven young woman with aspirations of serving her country. Just six days before the fatal incident, Moore graduated from the Air Force Academy Prep School and was preparing to join the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 2029. As a standout basketball player at Timber Creek High School, Moore was known for her leadership, determination, and compassion on and off the court.
Her death stunned friends, coaches, and teammates who described her as a beacon of light. “Ava had a heart of gold,” one friend said. “She led by example, and she had so much to give to the world.”
Moore’s kayaking trip on Grapevine Lake, a popular recreational site in Texas, turned fatal when a jet ski operated by two women plowed into her kayak. Witnesses reported that the jet ski was traveling at high speed and dangerously close to swimmers and other small watercraft.
Texas Teen Killed as Suspect Allegedly Flees Scene
After the collision, the driver of the jet ski—later identified as 21-year-old Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez—allegedly fled the scene in a vehicle with a male companion, Maikel Coello Perozo. In their haste, they struck another vehicle in the parking lot before abandoning their car at an apartment complex in Dallas.
Moore was pulled to shore with severe head injuries as onlookers rushed to her aid. Lisa Scrabeck, one of the first to respond, told local station WFAA, “Once she came out of the water, I had them lay her down and started life-saving measures.” Despite desperate efforts, Moore was pronounced dead at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center.
The woman who had been a passenger on the jet ski stayed behind and was questioned by authorities. Meanwhile, local law enforcement, with help from Texas Game Wardens and federal agencies, began an intensive manhunt for Gonzalez and Perozo.
Arrests and Charges
Two days after the crash, police arrested Gonzalez at a residence in Dallas. She has been charged with second-degree felony manslaughter, reckless operation, excessive speed, and leaving the scene of an accident involving death. Her bond has been set at $500,000. Perozo was also taken into custody and is facing related charges.
Both suspects are undocumented immigrants from Venezuela, a detail that has drawn political attention. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released a statement blaming federal immigration policy for the incident: “Ava Moore’s senseless death was caused by an illegal alien who should have never been in our country in the first place.”
This aspect of the case has fueled political debate, but for many in the Grapevine community, the focus remains on mourning a life lost too soon.
A Community in Mourning
Moore’s family released a heartfelt statement saying, “We are grieving the loss of our daughter at this time…. Our prayers are also with the young ladies involved, along with their families.” They have asked for privacy and peace as they cope with the loss of their only daughter.
In response to the tragedy, community members organized a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Moore’s funeral expenses. As of May 27, over $13,000 had been raised. Friends, classmates, and teammates gathered at a vigil to honor Moore’s memory, many wearing Timber Creek jerseys and lighting candles in her name.
“Ava was going to change the world,” one classmate said during the vigil. “She was just getting started.”
Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, also issued a statement recognizing Moore’s achievements and extending condolences to her family.
Water Safety Under Scrutiny
Grapevine Lake, like many public recreational areas, does not require a boating license for jet ski operators above a certain age. This tragic incident has sparked calls for stricter regulations and increased patrolling on the lake to prevent reckless behavior.
Law enforcement officials are continuing to investigate the crash and will hold a press conference to provide further details. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department emphasized the importance of adhering to safety guidelines when operating watercraft.
“This could have been avoided,” one official said. “We urge everyone to be responsible and respectful on the water.”
Remembering Ava Moore
As the investigation unfolds and the legal process begins, the legacy of Ava Moore remains strong. She is remembered not just as a basketball star or cadet candidate, but as a daughter, friend, and role model who embodied perseverance, humility, and service.
Her death leaves an irreplaceable void in the lives of those who knew her, but her story is also a call to action — a reminder that every moment matters, and that safety and accountability on our lakes and roads can be a matter of life and death.
For now, Texas mourns one of its brightest stars — a young woman whose future was full of promise, taken far too soon.
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