Police have arrested a suspect who allegedly struck and killed a swimmer in Lake Grapevine over Memorial Day weekend.
The Grapevine Police Department and Texas Game Wardens have Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez “in custody,” according to a statement to The Dallas Express from Maggie Berger, public information officer for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Gonzalez allegedly hit and killed 18-year-old Ava Moore with a jet ski on Lake Grapevine on May 25, according to the Grapevine Police Department. The department and the Texas Game Wardens had asked for the public’s help in identifying the woman who allegedly piloted the watercraft.
“Preliminary details indicate a personal watercraft (PWC) with two female occupants struck and killed the victim,” reads a release from Texas Game Wardens. “The passenger remained on scene to be interviewed by first responders, while the operator fled with an adult male.”
The operator – now identified as Gonzalez – and the man also “struck a vehicle while leaving the area,” which Grapevine police are investigating as a “hit and run,” according to the release. Texas Game Wardens are leading the “water fatality” investigation.
“We are thankful for the help of fellow law enforcement officers from the Texas Attorney General’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Dallas Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations,” Berger said to The Dallas Express. Grapevine police also posted the statement to Facebook.
The Grapevine Fire Department responded to an area near Oak Grove Park at 5:20 p.m. on May 25, according to WFAA. Moore was reportedly kayaking at the time. She was “pulled ashore with significant trauma,” and first responders gave her “advanced life support measures.” Moore was transported to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Grapevine, where she was pronounced dead.
“Texas Game Wardens remain committed to keeping our public waters safe,” reads the release. “Our thoughts are with Ava’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
Moore graduated from Timber Creek High School in Fort Worth last year, where she was “an outstanding student and athlete,” according to a GoFundMe for funeral costs. She had reportedly just returned from Colorado Springs, Colorado, after her first year at the Air Force Preparatory School. The fundraiser had already surpassed $22,000 at the time of publication. “The Moore family is grieving the sudden loss of their beautiful daughter/sister…,” the post reads.
The Dallas Express reached out to the Grapevine Police Department but did not hear back in time for publication.