The serene waters of Grapevine Lake, a popular recreational spot just northwest of Dallas, became the scene of a heartbreaking tragedy on Sunday, May 25, 2025, when 18-year-old Ava Renee Moore lost her life in a hit-and-run jet ski collision. Moore, a vibrant young woman with dreams of serving in the U.S. Air Force, was kayaking near Oak Grove Park around 5:20 p.m. when a personal watercraft carrying two women struck her, causing catastrophic injuries. Despite the valiant efforts of witnesses who pulled her from the water and attempted life-saving measures, Moore was pronounced dead at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Grapevine. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed her identity on Monday, leaving a grieving community to mourn the loss of a promising young athlete and scholar.
On Tuesday, May 27, Texas Game Wardens and Grapevine Police announced the arrest of Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez, the woman suspected of operating the jet ski that fatally struck Moore. Authorities allege that Gonzalez fled the scene with an adult male companion, compounding the tragedy by leaving Moore without aid. The pair’s escape was further marked by recklessness, as they reportedly struck another vehicle while fleeing the area, prompting a separate automotive hit-and-run investigation led by the Grapevine Police Department. The passenger on the jet ski remained at the scene and cooperated with first responders, providing critical details that aided investigators in identifying Gonzalez.
Ava Moore’s life was one of remarkable potential. A 2024 graduate of Timber Creek High School in Fort Worth, she was an outstanding student and basketball player who had recently completed her first year at the Air Force Preparatory School in Colorado Springs. She was home for Memorial Day weekend, visiting her family in North Texas, when the incident occurred. Described by loved ones as selfless, courageous, and spirited, Moore was just weeks away from beginning basic training, a step toward her dream of a military career. Her family, devastated by her loss, issued a statement through her father expressing their grief and calling for justice. Community members have rallied in support, launching a fundraising campaign to cover funeral expenses and advocate for enhanced watercraft safety measures on Texas lakes.
The investigation into Moore’s death has underscored the dangers of reckless watercraft operation. Texas Game Wardens, who are leading the water-related fatality probe, emphasized their commitment to public safety on the state’s waterways. Witnesses played a pivotal role in advancing the case, capturing photos and videos of Gonzalez and her male companion as they fled. These images, released to the public on Monday, helped authorities swiftly identify and apprehend Gonzalez. While her arrest brings some measure of closure, the search continues for the male suspect involved in the vehicular hit-and-run, with police urging anyone with information to contact detectives.
This tragedy has sparked renewed conversations about accountability and safety on Grapevine Lake, a cherished destination for boating and recreation. Moore’s death serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of negligence on the water, where high-speed watercraft like jet skis can pose significant risks. Her family and friends, along with the broader Fort Worth and Grapevine communities, are left to grapple with an irreplaceable loss, while authorities work to ensure such incidents are prevented in the future. As the legal process unfolds, the memory of Ava Moore—a young woman with a bright future—remains a poignant call for responsibility and vigilance.
