An 18-year-old female U.S. Air Force recruit was killed in hit-and-run jet ski crash by an illegal immigrant over Memorial Day weekend.
Jet ski crash ends the life of promising young recruit
Ava Moore died on Sunday following a watercraft collision that occurred while she was kayaking near the shoreline of the lake in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
According to arrest records reviewed by local media outlets, Moore was struck from behind by a jet ski reportedly being operated recklessly.
Witnesses told authorities that Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez, 21, was maneuvering a jet ski at high speed and weaving dangerously close to other people on the water.
Law enforcement says she crashed into Moore’s kayak near the shore, causing the fatal incident.
Following the collision, Gonzalez is accused of fleeing the area without even bothering to checking on the victim.
However, a female passenger who had been on the jet ski stayed at the scene and spoke with emergency personnel when they arrived.
Statements released by the Texas Game Wardens and arrest documents obtained by KDFW indicate that both Moore and the woman paddling with her had attempted to avoid Gonzalez’s erratic path before being struck.
First responders rescued Moore from the water and administered emergency care on site before transporting her by ambulance.
She later succumbed to her injuries, which included serious head trauma, at a nearby hospital.
Family of recruit killed in jet ski crash urges forgiveness
The New York Post reported Moore had recently returned home to Texas after graduating from the Air Force Academy’s prep program in Colorado and was about to begin basic training in the upcoming weeks.
Her family issued a public statement Wednesday through a press conference, saying, “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 will make good — and that only can be accomplished through forgiveness,” they said.
Following the incident, photos of Gonzalez taken at the lake were distributed by authorities.
She was later seen leaving the scene in a Toyota Corolla driven by 21-year-old Maikel Coello Perozo. During their attempt to flee, Perozo allegedly struck two vehicles.
The release of those images contributed to a multi-agency manhunt involving local and federal agencies including the Dallas Police Department, Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and others.
Law enforcement located the pair at a residence in Dallas on Tuesday. Officers used drones to peer into the windows of the home and eventually persuaded both suspects to surrender.
Suspects are illegal immigrants
According to a press release from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, both individuals are Venezuelan nationals residing in the U.S. without legal documentation.
Gonzalez now faces a charge of second-degree manslaughter and remains in custody with her bond set at $500,000.
Perozo has been charged in connection with the hit-and-run aspect of the case, and additional charges may be filed.
“On Sunday, Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez – an illegal alien from Venezuela – struck and killed an 18-year-old woman, Ava Moore, on Lake Grapevine with a jet ski,” Paxton stated.
“The suspect then fled the scene with a male illegal alien, subsequently committing a hit-and-run after striking another vehicle.”
“Paxton’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit tracked down and arrested the illegal aliens connected to the crimes, working with the Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Grapevine Police Department, the Dallas Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,” the statement continued.
“Ava Moore’s senseless death was caused by an illegal alien who should have never been in our country in the first place,” Paxton added.
“My heart breaks for Ava’s family and friends, and my prayers are with them as they face this tragedy.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott also weighed in on social media, reposting a video of the incident with the caption: “Welcome to Texas. Here’s your Death Penalty.”
Meanwhile, a fundraising campaign launched to support Moore’s family has exceeded expectations, raising over $38,000, which exceeds the original $20,000 goal.
