Two Florida men charged after beautiful ballerina, 15, struck and killed by boat while wakeboarding

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

Charges have been filed against two men in connection to the tragic death of a beautiful 15-year-old ballerina who was fatally struck by a boat while wakeboarding.
Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 79, was charged with two misdemeanors for careless operation of a vessel and Edmund Richard Hartley, 31, has been charged with four misdemeanors for careless operation of a vessel, in relation to the death of Ella Adler.
On May 11, 2024, Adler and another girl were wakeboarding behind a 42-foot Hanse Fjord walk-around near Key Biscayne, just south of Miami, before falling off at different spots, officials said. A dozen people had been on the boat pulling her.
Before the vessel, operated by Hartley, could return to collect her, Adler was hit by another boat, allegedly driven by Alonso, which immediately sped away, officials said.
After several witnesses described the hit-and-run vessel and what they saw, including mentions of 'a lot of blood in the water,' investigators eventually found the boat, a Boston whaler, docked behind Alonso's Coral Gables home.
Alonso, who also goes by Bill, said he didn't realize he had struck Adler, according to his attorneys.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said both men were charged following a 'thorough investigation' into her tragic death.
Both are accused of violating the U.S. Coast Guard navigational rules on responsibility and look-out while on the water, and Hartley has additionally been charged with violating rules regarding risk of collision and action to avoid it, per the FWC.
After several witness descriptions of the hit-and-run vessel and what they saw, including mention of 'a lot of blood in the water,' investigators eventually found the boat, a Boston whaler, docked behind Alonso's Coral Gables home
Alonso and Hartley have pleaded not guilty. They are set to appear in court on June 30 for a trial hearing.
'The FWC extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ella Adler. Our thoughts remain with them as they continue to cope with this unimaginable loss,' the organization said in the statement.
Alonso's lawyer, Lauren Field Krasnoff, previously told reporters her client was an avid boater for over 50 years and that he was by himself on his vessel on the day Ella was killed.
'If he was the person that was involved in this accident, and I want to be clear, we don't know that yet. If he was he had absolutely no idea of his involvement,' she said.
'When the police came knocking, he did not know why. We're not sure if he was involved. But if he was he absolutely did not know what had happened.'
According to a maritime attorney who spoke to NBC6 Miami, there's no chance that the person who hit Adler was unaware of the impact.
'I find that extremely hard to believe because hitting a person is a large object, you would definitely feel that especially if you are going at any type of a rate of speed,' Michael Winkleman said.
Krasnoff pointed out that Alonso tied his boat up in plain sight after returning home and that he was cooperating with the investigation.
The lawyer said that Alonso does not drink alcohol and that he was not drinking when he was out boating on Saturday, where conditions were described as 'choppy.'
Eerie surveillance footage captured the moment Alonso left a dock shortly after Adler was hit.
His attorneys chose to release the footage because they said it bolstered his claim that he had no idea about the tragic accident before speeding away from the scene.
In the footage from Fox6, he was seen unmooring his vessel shortly after 3pm that day before returning around 4:30pm in a calm manner.
The late teen has been remembered as a 'force of nature' who performed over 100 times with the Miami City Ballet.
'Her magnetism radiated on the stage, where she belonged and thrived,' her obituary read.
Family, friends and classmates from Ransom Everglades School attended her funeral as heartbreaking images showed their emotional reaction laying the young girl to rest.
The teenager was a high achiever, involved in many different organizations and clubs, including her school's Jewish Student Association, the debate team and the Miami City Ballet.
After hearing of the charges filed against Alonso and Hartley, her family said in a statement: 'We are deeply grateful to the State Attorney's Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for their diligence, professionalism, and commitment throughout this unimaginable process.
'Their efforts have brought a measure of accountability and clarity during the most painful time in our lives.'
Although they are grateful for justice for Adler, her family is also determined to spread awareness about water safety and conditions, NBC6 reported.
They also established a foundation in her name.
'Through the newly established Ella Riley Adler Foundation, we are committed to advancing causes that reflect her passions and values, including Jewish community and continuity, education, and the arts, especially dance,' they said.
Alonso's attorney told DailyMail.com what happened to the teenager 'was an absolute tragedy,' but it was not her client's fault.
'What happened last year was an absolute tragedy. But it was not Bill's fault. Bill is an experienced and cautious boater and that is how he acted that day,' Krasnoff said.
'FWC explicitly told us that they did not find Bill's actions caused the accident. Because of that, we were very surprised to learn about the citations.
'We understand that FWC is under a lot of pressure from recent events. But now, after telling us that Bill was not to blame, we will need to get to the bottom of this charging decision a year later.'