Plea Deal for Florida Rower in Teen’s Death
A Florida rower has narrowly escaped prison time following a plea deal related to the death of a teenage ballerina who was wakeboarding in Miami. The incident occurred during a friend’s birthday celebration.
Carlos Guillermo “Bill” Alonso, 79, received a sentence of six months’ probation and was required to complete a boater safety course after the hit-and-run death of 15-year-old Ella Adler in 2024.
Alonso accepted a plea agreement with prosecutors, facing two misdemeanor counts for careless vessel operation. He had allegedly struck and killed a teenage boy while navigating his 42-foot yacht through the busy waters of Key Biscayne.
This plea deal means Alonso avoids a formal conviction and 60 days of county jail time.
His attorney, Lauren Field Krasnoff, noted that if Alonso fulfills his probation without any violations, all charges will be dropped.
“I feel for the Adler family; this is a tragic situation. Bill didn’t intend for anyone to get hurt that day,” Field Krasnoff stated.
She added that Alonso hoped the plea might help ease the family’s suffering and bring attention to the Ella Riley Adler Foundation.
In addition to probation, Alonso is set to complete a 75-hour boating safety course, donate $5,000 to the Florida Crime Victim Compensation Fund in Ella’s memory, and pay a $500 state fine along with court costs.
He is also barred from operating any vessels during his probation period.
Ella, the granddaughter of former U.S. Ambassador Michael Adler, was wakeboarding with friends to celebrate her own birthday when she fell into the water. Witnesses reported that she was struck and killed shortly thereafter.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission initially considered the case a hit-and-run, as Alonso’s boat was not immediately found. It was later located at his home in Coral Gables.
Alonso’s lawyers presented security camera footage that showed him leaving and returning to the dock, suggesting he might not have known he had hit someone.
Ms. Adler was a dedicated student at Ransom Everglades High School, actively involved in debate and dance, and had performed in “Chicago” shortly before her tragic death.
She was also a talented dancer who had performed with the Miami City Ballet on numerous occasions.
In court, her father, Matthew Adler, expressed to the judge how much Ella added to everyone’s lives with her spirit. “Ella was an extraordinary person. She brought joy and creativity wherever she went,” he remarked. “She wasn’t just living; she danced through life.”
Adler urged for stricter regulations on Florida’s waterways, emphasizing that regulations for boat operators are significantly less stringent than those for drivers. “Too many children are dying in our waterways,” he remarked. “Consider what would happen if we removed insurance requirements for driver’s licenses.”
Additionally, Edmund Richard Hartley, the captain of the boat that had been towing Ella, also faces charges but reportedly was not injured in the incident.
Hartley has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges related to careless boat operation and navigation rules. If found guilty, he could face a sentence of up to 60 days in jail.
