Two boat operators from South Florida are facing misdemeanor charges in connection with a tragic boating accident that claimed the life of 15-year-old Ella Adler in May.
Adler, a student at Ransom Everglades High School, was involved in a wakeboarding incident on May 11, 2024, in Biscayne Bay when she fell into the water and was struck by a vessel that failed to stop.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed that Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 79, who allegedly operated the boat that struck Adler, has been charged with two counts of careless operation of a vessel.
Edmund Richard Hartley, 32, the operator of the vessel towing Adler, faces four misdemeanor charges for similar offenses.
Both individuals have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled for a court hearing in Miami-Dade County on June 30. The announcement of the charges came last week, following what officials described as a thorough investigation.
According to the FWC, Adler had been waiting to be picked up after she fell from her wakeboard near Nixon Beach sandbar when she was hit by another vessel.
Investigators indicated that both operators violated several U.S. Coast Guard navigational rules, specifically regarding lookout responsibilities and actions to avoid collisions. Hartley additionally faces charges for failing to manage risks associated with possible collisions.
The FWC extended their condolences to Adler’s family and friends in a statement.
Adler was an accomplished dancer, having performed in over 100 shows with the Miami City Ballet at the Adrienne Arsht Center, which has added to the tragedy felt within her community.
An attorney representing Alonso expressed surprise at the charges, stating that both boat operators did not believe they were responsible for the unfortunate incident. According to Lauren Krasnoff, Alonso acted cautiously and competently while operating his vessel that day.
Krasnoff claimed the FWC had previously indicated that their investigation did not find his actions contributed to the accident.
Preliminary reports suggest that Alonso was unaware of the collision and returned to his home in Coral Gables after the incident, where investigators later located him.
In the wake of this tragedy, Adler’s family issued a statement expressing their gratitude to the FWC and the State Attorney’s Office for their efforts during the investigation. They acknowledged how these actions have provided a sense of accountability during a profoundly painful time.
With the one-year anniversary of Ella’s death recently observed, her family continues to seek healing while aspiring to honor her legacy. They established the Ella Riley Adler Foundation, which aims to promote causes that resonate with Adler’s passions and values, including education, arts, and community engagement in the Jewish tradition.
Adler’s family has also voiced their concerns about boating safety in Florida, emphasizing the need for improved regulations and increased enforcement to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
They pointed to the frequent preventable deaths and injuries on South Florida’s waterways, making a case for stronger safety education and measures in the boating laws.
The emerging narrative surrounding this tragic incident reflects a community coming together to seek justice and an enduring commitment to enhancing safety on Florida’s waterways.
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