Illegal immigrants charged in hit-and-run death of Air Force cadet
- Ava Moore was killed in a hit-and-run incident involving a jet ski driven by illegal immigrants.
- The suspects, arrested days later, were found to have packed bags at the time of their capture.
- Lawmakers are demanding accountability for the incident and calling for changes in immigration enforcement policies.
In Texas, during the Memorial Day weekend in 2025, an Air Force cadet candidate named Ava Moore was fatally injured in a tragic jet ski accident. While kayaking on Lake Grapevine, she was struck by a jet ski operated by illegal immigrants. Following the incident, both the driver of the jet ski, Daikerlyn Alejandraa Gonzalez-Gonzalez, and her accomplice, Maikel Alexander Coello-Perozo, fled the scene, leaving Moore without assistance. Emergency responders later arrived, but sadly, Moore succumbed to her injuries. The two Venezuelan nationals were arrested in Dallas a few days later. Authorities discovered them with packed bags at the time of their arrests, raising suspicions about their intentions. Gonzalez-Gonzalez faces serious charges of second-degree manslaughter, a felony, while Perozo has been charged with misdemeanors for a collision involving property damage and hindering apprehension. Both suspects reportedly entered the United States illegally earlier in 2023 and were released into the country following previous immigration proceedings. Their arrests ignited conversations concerning immigration policies and public safety. Texas Representative Beth Van Duyne expressed her outrage over the situation, highlighting that the tragedy could have been prevented if the suspects had not been in the country illegally. She noted that Ava Moore was preparing to embark on her military career and was a dedicated student, underscoring the loss felt by her family and community. Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security publicly criticized previous administration policies that allowed such cases to occur. They pointed out the inadequacies in border control that contributed to the suspects being able to act with apparent impunity, culminating in this horrific outcome. The cadet's fatal accident has prompted discussions about the intersection of immigration enforcement and public safety. Lawmakers, including Rep. Van Duyne, have called for stricter measures to hold accountable those who enter the U.S. illegally and face repercussions for committing crimes. The case has resonated widely, highlighting the need for reform in immigration practices to prevent similar incidents in the future, as many believe this tragic event should have never occurred.