A search is underway for a boater who tragically struck and killed a 15-year-old in the Florida Keys over the weekend.
Ella Riley Adler had been enjoying a water skiing session off Key Biscayne near Nixon Beach at approximately 4:30 p.m. Suddenly, her fun-filled adventure took a tragic turn when she was unexpectedly struck by a center console boat. The boat, which had a distinctive light blue hull, callously fled the scene, leaving Ella behind. This distressing incident was recently disclosed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
According to George Reynaud, a spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the woman had a life vest on and was also wearing ski boards on her feet.
During the incident, a first responder communicated via radio transmissions that there was a significant amount of blood in the water, as reported by the outlet.
The crash occurred while the 15-year-old was enjoying a friend’s birthday celebration on a family boat.
FWC officers are currently conducting a search to locate the captain of the boat. The captain was traveling in a westbound direction from Nixon Beach.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the boat is equipped with several white outboard motors and could potentially have a blue or dark blue bottom paint.
Authorities are offering a maximum reward of $20,000 for any information regarding the vessel and boater responsible for the crash. Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers is contributing $5,000 to this reward. The FWC is urging witnesses to step forward and provide their accounts of the incident.
A beautiful beach in Key West, Florida, photographed on May 7, 2024. (Photo credit: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Adler, a student at Ransom Everglades School, was also a talented member of its dance team. This high school freshman had the role of a ballerina in “The Nutcracker” and had showcased her skills in over 100 performances alongside the Miami City Ballet at the Adrienne Arsht Center, as mentioned in her obituary.
According to her family, when she entered a room, she had a magnetic presence that captivated everyone around her. They described her as someone who embraced the joy of dancing, cherished her friendships, and above all, adored her family.
Adler’s family proudly expressed her strong connection to her Jewish heritage.
“She came from a lineage of Jewish leaders who had a strong commitment to faith and tikkun olam,” her family stated. “As the great-granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, she had a deep love for Israel.”
Numerous emotional tributes from the girl’s friends were left on her obituary page.
Lauren Scott, a close friend, expressed how Ella’s presence on the dance team had a profound effect on her. She never anticipated the extent of this impact at the beginning of the year. Ella’s infectious laughter and radiant smile filled the studio with an undeniable sense of joy that was impossible to resist.
“My friend Emma Fayad expressed how nobody had ever boosted my self-confidence and brought me so much joy about attending school as she did. Each day, I eagerly anticipated seeing her because she had a remarkable ability to make me believe in everything she said. I trusted her completely and felt comfortable sharing my deepest thoughts with her. It’s hard to fathom having to bid farewell, especially at such an early stage. Your absence will be deeply felt, and I can only hope that you find eternal peace.”
The private school expressed in a statement that Ella possessed remarkable talent as a dancer, actively participated in the speech and debate team, and was a valuable member of the Jewish Student Association. Moreover, the school emphasized that Ella had numerous close friendships and was highly cherished by her peers.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expressed her condolences to the Adler family on X and emphasized the importance of boat safety in preventing such tragedies from occurring again.
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