A newly released accident report provides more insight about the moments leading up to the death of 15-year-old Miami Beach teen Ella Adler, who died after being struck by a boat on Saturday.
Adler was wakeboarding in Key Biscayne when she fell into the water at around 4 p.m. and was struck by another vessel that took off, according to an incident report the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission sent to Newsweek. Adler died from her injuries.
First Lady Jill Biden visited Adler's family in Florida on Tuesday to pay her condolences, according to CBS News. The teen is the granddaughter of US Ambassador to Belgium Michael M. Adler Adler.
The operator of the vessel that struck Adler was identified as 78-year-old Coral Gables resident Carlos Guillermo Alonso, according to the incident report. It is unclear whether Alonso is also the owner of the boat and if he is facing any charges.
The boat which initially left the scene was found on Tuesday. It was taken into custody and moved to the FWC evidence compound.
Officials told Newsweek that the owner of the boat is cooperating with the investigation.
The report also reveals that Adler was on a boat with 13 others. The individuals on the boat included 11 teenagers, a 21-year-old and two people in their 30s.
Another female on the boat was on a wake surfboard at the time. She also fell into the water, but in a different location than Adler and was unharmed.
Newsweek reached out via email to the FWC for additional details.
The FWC said it is making "significant progress" in the investigation, but they are still seeking help from the public. Anyone who witnessed or has video footage of the incident should contact the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Ella Adler during this incredibly difficult time," the FWC said.
Adler was a ballerina who appeared in over 100 performances of "The Nutcracker" with the Miami City Ballet at the Adrienne Arsht Center, according to her obituary. She was also a part of the dance team, school play and the Jewish Students Association at Ransom Everglades School in Miami.
The school said she "shined in our classrooms and on our stages, and she embodied the mission of Ransom Everglades School" in a Facebook post. The school made a memorial honoring Adler.
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Jenna Sundel is a Newsweek reporter based in New Jersey. Her focus is reporting on breaking news. Jenna joined Newsweek ... Read more
