The boater suspected of fatally hitting a teenage ballerina who fell while wakeboarding in Biscayne Bay, Florida, was identified by authorities Wednesday.
Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 78, killed 15-year-old Ella Riley on the 42-foot Boston Whaler in a Miami-Dade County bay Saturday afternoon, according to an incident report in the Florida Fish and Paper. It is believed that he ran over Adler and did not stop. Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Adler was wakeboarding behind a boat with friends when he lost his grip on the tow rope and fell into the water near Mashta Point.
Alonso, a Coral Gables resident, was allegedly driving westbound when he struck the girl, who was a short distance from her boat with friends. Witnesses said he did not slow down or stop, according to a report obtained by the newspaper.
First responders said the Miami Beach high school student suffered fatal injuries and was left floating in the water surrounding him with “a large amount of blood.”
Adler was rescued by the boat he was riding on his wakeboard, and his friends who were on the boat called for help, but they were unable to save him.
“You were taken from us too soon, and the world was robbed of everything you could have achieved,” grieving father Matthew Adler read at the dancer’s packed funeral on Monday. wrote in an emotional letter.
“But you will always be here with us, and your friends and family will carry your energy and spirit with you forever.”
Adler appeared in over 100 performances with Miami City Ballet and was remembered as a talented dancer. She was also scheduled to appear in her school’s production of “Chicago” before her death.
Alonso is cooperating with the investigation, and his boat was taken to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission facility for investigators to examine evidence, officials said.
No charges have been filed against the man, who is in his 70s, as the investigation is ongoing.
Investigators are asking any witnesses who may have video footage of the crash or information about the crash to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
“Our thoughts are with Ella Adler’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a statement.
