Warrant reveals close calls, victim's attempt to paddle away before deadly Grapevine Lake jet ski crash
The arrest warrant for the suspect in the deadly Grapevine Lake jet ski crash on Sunday reveals close calls before the crash and that the victim was trying to paddle to the shoreline to safety when she was hit.
On Sunday, 18-year-old Ava Moore was kayaking at Grapevine Lake when she was struck and killed by a jet ski with two women on it, police said. The suspected driver of the jet ski, Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez, 21, was taken into custody Tuesday after fleeing the scene with a man.
Attorney General Ken Paxton said that Gonzalez and the man, 21-year-old Maikel Coello Perozo, are both undocumented immigrants.
Officials held a press conference on Wednesday, May 28, to update the public on the investigation and charges against the suspects. Watch the full video below:
Jet ski operators had close calls before the deadly hit-and-run
Witnesses told Grapevine police that the driver of the jet ski made several passes along the Oak Grove Park shoreline "with wanton disregard to the safety of others and at a speed and manner that endangered others in the area" before hitting one of two kayaks paddling near the shoreline.
The other kayaker told police that after the jet ski made several passes near the shoreline and near swimmers at a high rate of speed, she and Moore decided to paddle away from the area.
Victim was trying to paddle to safety when she was hit
As they paddled away, the warrant states, the jet ski driven by Gonzalez hit Moore's kayak from behind.
The other kayaker told police she heard waves approaching and turned her head in time to see the jet ski drive over Moore's kayak.
She also told police she watched Gonzalez turn the jet ski back toward the direction they had just come from and saw Gonzalez and the jet ski passenger, Clerismar Colina-Lugo, "witness that they had recklessly caused injury or death" to Moore. Gonzalez and the passenger then left the area.
Witnesses try to stop suspect in deadly jet ski crash from fleeing
Gonzalez and Colina-Lugo eventually returned to the area on the jet ski, the warrant states, whereupon onlookers and bystanders tried to box in and block the two women from leaving. According to the warrant, witness videos confirm the onlookers' efforts as well as other individuals guarding and helping Gonzalez and Colina-Lugo move towards vehicles in the parking lot.
Gonzalez is then seen getting into a blue Toyota Corolla with a man later identified as Coello Perozo, as the two left the area before colliding two other vehicles and driving away.
Charges and ongoing investigations
Gonzalez faces charges of reckless operation and excessive speed, manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident.
Coello Perozo is charged with collision involving damage to a vehicle and hindering apprehension.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said additional charges could be filed. The Department also said that Enforcement Removal Operations Dallas lodged immigration detainers with the Grapevine Police Department following the arrest of Gonzalez and Coello Perozo. Both are in removal proceedings pursuant to the policies of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Texas Game Warden Captain Joseph Quintero said the public submitted over 900 tips, helping provide a quick resolution for Moore's family.
"We would like to take an opportunity to thank not only our local, state and federal law enforcement officers but also the public for their support and vigilance in reporting information to the Grapevine Police Department's tip line," said Quintero.
The Grapevine Police Department is investigating the automotive hit-and-run. The Texas Game Wardens are investigating the boating accident.