Selma man's death in a boating accident is a 'tragic loss to the community'

During his spare time, Jesse Moya always found different ways to give back to his hometown of Selma.

He used his carpentry skills to do free drywall work for a local Mexican restaurant.

He helped a single mom move across town.

He was the type of person who would pull over to help someone change a flat tire, his family said., calling his death Sunday in a boating accident "a tragic loss to the community." Moya was 53.

Circumstances of the crash of two boats remains under investigation, the Tulare County Sheriff's Office said, but it has recommended charges be filed against the other boat operator. The case has been forwarded to the Tulare County District Attorney's Office.

Moya's family said he loved the freedom and camaraderie that came with being on the water. He bought his first boat while in his 20s.

"He died doing what he loved," said a niece, who asked not to be identified. Moya was on the river with family members at least four other times the week before his death, she said. On the day of his death, Moya was with his best friend of more than 40 years.

Moya was a union carpenter who often did pro bono work around Selma, earning a good reputation. His niece pointed out how he has more than 1,000 Facebook friends, and many have reached out to their family with photos and memories about her uncle's impact on their lives.

The Mexican restaurant where Moya provided free drywall work has even offered to cater his services as appreciation.

The niece said the family does not wish to press charges and added that Moya's son, Jesse Moya III, who lives in Texas, called the Tulare County District Attorney's Office to ask that no charges be filed.

The niece said witnesses stated the boat crashed into her uncle's boat and went airborne, hitting Moya and clipping his best friend. Her uncle was dead on impact, she said, adding that the coroner's office told the family Moya's cause of death was blunt force trauma.

Moya is survived by his son, two brothers and three sisters.

The family has a GoFundMe account set up to help with the cost of funeral services.

(Note: The sheriff's office originally said Moya was from Easton, but his family said he lived in Selma.)

This story was originally published July 3, 2018 at 9:58 PM.