The area of Biscayne Bay where the 15-year-old girl was hit and killed by a boat while wakeboarding is a busy channel and prone to dangerous boating accidents.
The death of 15-year-old Ella Riley Adler raises questions about whether more should be done to make the area safer.
tragedy of water
Adler was attacked and killed about 4 p.m. Saturday about a mile west of Mashta Point in Key Biscayne, according to a report released Wednesday by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
According to the report, Adler was one of 14 people who went on the 42-foot-long Hanse Fjord trail, run by a 30-year-old man.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) continues to search for a boat after a girl was hit and killed in Biscayne Bay on Saturday.
Investigators said Adler was riding a wakeboard near Nixon Beach with another person on a wakesurfing board when they both fell into the water at the same time.
Adler was struck and killed by another 42-foot boat a short distance from the boat he was towing, but the boat did not stop, according to the report.
investigation
Almost immediately after the incident, authorities began searching for the boat that hit Adler.
Witnesses told FWC that the boat had a light blue center console, possibly blue or dark blue bottom paint, and was powered by three or four white board engines.
FWC officials announced Tuesday that a boat matching that description was found moored behind a home in the Hammock Oaks neighborhood of Coral Gables.
FWC officials then detained the 42-foot Boston Whaler and transported it to their office.
On Wednesday, FWC officials identified the boat's owner as 78-year-old Carlos Guillermo Alonso, a resident of the home where it was discovered.
A passenger on the boat involved in the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old girl in Biscayne Bay over the weekend has been identified. NBC6's Lorena Inclan reports.
Investigators said Alonso was operating the boat and was the only passenger at the time of the incident.
The FWC's report does not say whether he may face charges, and the section of the report that mentions whether it was alcohol-related is marked as “unknown.” It is unclear whether alcohol was a factor in the accident.
FWC officials said in a statement Wednesday that Alonso is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Boater's lawyer speaks
Alonso's attorney, Lauren Field Krasnoff, spoke on NBC6 Wednesday night. She said she didn't know he hit anyone in the water.
“At this point, we don't know if it was (Alonso) or his boat that was involved in the accident,” she said. “If his boat was involved, I can tell you he had no idea it happened that day. He's as devastated as anyone.”
The attorney for the man identified by investigators as the operator of the boat that struck and killed Ella Riley Adler in Biscayne Bay over the weekend has spoken. NBC6's Ryan Nelson reports.
Krasnov also reiterated that Alonso is cooperating with the investigation.
“He anchored his boat in a visible location, and most importantly, he was cooperative with law enforcement and anyone else who needed to investigate what happened that day at sea.” That's true,” Krasnov said. He doesn't drink and didn't drink that Saturday either. ”
Nixon Beach Safety
Similar incidents have occurred in the past at Nixon Beach, a popular spot known for its party atmosphere.
At least five fatal accidents have occurred near the sandbar since 2013, NBC6 reports.
The area near Mashta Point sees a lot of boat traffic, but is also a popular area for wakeboarding and other water sports.
NBC6
Capt. Mike Brill, a Miami boating expert, said manatee restrictions and no-wake zones are forcing more people to use the busy waterways for water sports.
He said something needs to be done to create safer neighborhoods.
“I don't think water skiing is dangerous, but you need a safe place to do it, so probably the safest thing to do would be to have a designated water sports area,” Brill said.
Organizers of this weekend's SoFlo Boat Show held a press conference Thursday to discuss boat safety and announce a new initiative focused on the effort.
A press conference on boating safety was held in Key Biscayne as the South Florida Boat Show prepares to open this weekend.
“We aim to not only promote boating safety and practices, but also create a lasting culture of responsibility and awareness that resonates throughout this community,” said Loud & Live CEO Nelson Albareda. ” he said.
The initiative, called A Beacon of Light at Sea, is being launched by Loud & Live and three foundations named after three local boating accident victims. Preparations were already underway before Adler's death, but now that summer is approaching, they are starting with even more urgency.
teen grieves
A student at Ransom Everglades School, Adler was a talented ballet performer, including a ballerina in The Nutcracker and a member of Miami City Ballet's more than 100 performances at the Adrienne Arsht Center. appeared on.
In addition to being a member of the Ransom Everglades dance team, she also belonged to the Jewish Student Association and the speech and debate team.
Her grandfather is Michael M. Adler, the U.S. ambassador to Belgium.
Following her death, her family has received an outpouring of support from the South Florida community and the nation, including First Lady Jill Biden, who visited the family for a shiva call earlier this week. There is.
Her family later released a statement regarding her death.
“This weekend the world lost a star. Ella was beautiful and shining. “In her 15 years, she has given us more light than we could have ever dreamed. “We ask the public for privacy as we grieve as we deal with this unspeakable tragedy,” the family said. I would also like to thank our law enforcement agencies for their efforts in bringing an end to this terrible loss. ”
Ella Adler's family has broken their silence and released a statement regarding the tragic death of the 15-year-old girl. NBC6's Ryan Nelson reports.
Alonso's lawyer said he was also praying for his family.
“This is the worst tragedy anyone can imagine,” Krasnov said. “We are devastated when we think of Mr. and Mrs. Adler, their friends, and their families. There is no question that something truly terrible happened. I am praying and thinking for you.”
