A Florida boater suspected of killing a 15-year-old girl last weekend appeared calm and collected as he docked his boat after the fatal collision, according to footage released Friday. It was shown that
Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 78, was seen leaving his Coral Gables home on the 42-foot Boston Whaler just after 3 p.m. on May 11. According to video obtained by NBC6.
It was the day before Mother’s Day, about an hour before Alonso allegedly ran over 15-year-old Ella Riley Adler, who was wakeboarding in Biscayne Bay, with her boat.
Witnesses told the outlet that the captain, who was piloting the boat, appeared unaware that he had fatally injured the girl.
The video then shows Alonso returning to the dock, tying up the boat and proceeding as if “there was no clue that he might have hit anyone” around 4:30 p.m. .
“As the video shows, Bill was alone. He hadn’t been drinking. And there was no clue that he might have hit anyone — he was home on a boat. He parked his boat, remained calm, did not clean the boat and did not try to hide anything,” attorney Lauren Krasnoff said. Statement after video release. “Bill will continue to cooperate with law enforcement in every way possible.”
Alonso’s lawyer says the video quells “grossly unsubstantiated rumors” that her “devastated” client knew she hit Alonso and tried to cover up the tragic incident. I hope.
“This is an unthinkable tragedy and my heart breaks for Ella and her family,” Krasnov said.
Earlier this week, Mr. Krasnov said Mr. Alonso, a Cuban-born man who arrived in the United States under Operation Peter Pan (which lasted from 1960 to 1962), had no criminal record, did not drink, and that Mr. Adler had been beaten. He said he hadn’t had a drink in days.
Adler was said to have been wakeboarding with friends celebrating his birthday when he was struck by Alonso’s boat.
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.”
She was rescued by the boat she was riding on her wakeboard, and her friends who were on board called for help, but they were unable to rescue her.
Officials said Alonso is cooperating with law enforcement investigators.
His boat was seized and taken to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission facility for investigators to examine for evidence.
No charges have been filed against senior officials as the investigation is ongoing.
Ella’s family and community are mourning the loss of the young dancer who performed more than 100 times with Miami City Ballet.
Ella’s funeral was held Monday at Temple Beth Shalom Synagogue, where friends and family spoke of the Ransom Everglades School student’s talent and bright character.
“You were taken from us too soon and everything you could have achieved has been taken from the world. But you will always be with us and your friends and family will We will carry your energy and spirit with us forever,” a letter written by his father, Matthew Eidle, was read out by his aunt at the teenager’s funeral.
