GRAPEVINE, Texas – An 18-year-old woman died after being struck by a jet ski while kayaking on Grapevine Lake on Sunday.
What we know:
Grapevine firefighters responded to a report of an injured person near Oak Grove Park around 5:20 p.m. Sunday.
Officials said the victim, identified as Ava Renee Moore, was kayaking when she was hit by a jet ski. She was pulled to shore and treated for severe head trauma before being taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died.
Jet Ski Driver Fled Scene
Investigators said two women were on the jet ski when it struck Moore.
The passenger remained at the scene and was interviewed by first responders. The driver fled with a man, and the pair struck a vehicle as they left the area.
Grapevine police are investigating the vehicle hit-and-run. The Texas Game Wardens are leading the investigation into the water incident.
What you can do:
Here is a photo of the suspected jet ski driver.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Grapevine police.
What we don’t know:
It’s unclear what relationship, if any, the fleeing individuals had to each other. Their identities have not been released.
Honoring Ava Moore
Ava Moore was 18 years old and dreamed of joining the U.S. military. She was just weeks away from heading to basic training.
Ke’sha Blanton was Moore’s basketball coach at the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School in Colorado this past season.
“You know, we talked throughout the course of the year that at some point in her career she was going to be a four-star general because she loved it,” said Blanton. “She made those around her better.”
Blanton told FOX 4’s David Sentendrey of the mixed emotions she felt when she heard the news.
“You know, you go between sadness for Ava and then anger. Anger that they left her. Anger that they didn’t try to help her,” said Blanton. “They took a bright, bright star from our lives.”
Moore was visiting her parents, who live in North Texas, for Memorial Day weekend. Blanton says she had a FaceTime call with Moore the day before the incident.
“Everybody’s going to be saluting you,” said Blanton. “And our last words, I said, ‘Kid, I love you.’ And she said, ‘I love you, too, Coach.’”
The Source: Information in this article comes from Grapevine officials, the Texas Game Wardens and the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.