Police in Florida believe they have discovered the boat that fatally struck ballerina Ella Riley Adler, 15, while she was water skiing near Miami over the weekend.
The boat’s operator fled the scene after the horrific collision in Key Biscayne on Saturday, sparking an urgent multi-agency search for the driver and vessel.
“The boat is in our custody and the owner is cooperating,” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation official George Reynaud confirmed in a Facebook video – although the driver is still at large.
Authorities did not immediately say where the boat was found or how it was located. It was also unclear whether the owner of the boat was the one operating it when the girl was struck.
Police in Florida believe they have discovered the boat that fatally struck ballerina Ella Riley Adler, 15, while she was water skiing in Miami over the weekend.
Ella’s (center) devastated family described her as a “force of nature” who “loved to dance,” and she was a famous local ballerina with the Miami City Ballet.
Authorities said the boater who struck and killed Ella fled the scene in a blue and white boat and was still wanted by police.
Adler was water skiing near Key Biscayne, just south of Miami, on Saturday afternoon when she fell into the water and was struck by another boat, which immediately fled, officials said .
According to the FWC, which is still investigating the accident, the teen was struck and killed while she was on the water celebrating with her friends, but she was not actively water skiing when she was struck .
FWC spokesman George Reynaud said she was in the water at the time, “wearing a life jacket” with “ski boards still on her feet”, before the fishing boat Don’t hit her.
Reynaud added that the pilot of the boat that struck it is still wanted by authorities and described the vessel as “white to light blue in color, with blue or dark blue background paint.”
The boat was likely equipped with two wideboard motors, he said, “but it could have been as many as four wideboard motors, based on different witness reports.”
Witnesses described the hit-and-run as a center console boat with a light blue hull, several white outboard motors and blue background paint.
A first responder told WSVN they arrived on scene and found “a lot of blood in the water” afterward.
Tributes have poured in for the talented Florida teenager following her tragic death, with her family saying “when she walked into a room, everyone was drawn to her”.
A total reward of up to $20,000 was being offered for information leading to an arrest.
Adler’s funeral was held Monday morning at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach.
Police in Florida believe they have discovered the boat that fatally struck ballerina Ella Riley Adler, 15, while she was water skiing in Miami.
Ella was a famous local ballerina who participated in performances of The Nutcracker, performing over 100 times for the Miami City Ballet.
Ella (center), a talented ballerina, “shone on stage” and her family said she “fitted in and thrived” while performing
Tributes have poured in for the Florida teenager after her tragic death, with officials saying she was wearing her life jacket and celebrating a friend’s birthday.
The talented teenager’s school said she “shone in our classrooms and on our stages”.
The teenager was a high achiever, involved in many different organizations and clubs, including her school’s Jewish Student Association, the debate team, and the Miami City Ballet.
“Ella Adler was not only a beloved student and magnificent dancer who graced our stage in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker; she was an integral part of our family,” said Billy Zavelson, spokesman for Miami City Ballet.
Ransom Everglades School Principal Rachel Rodriguez also shared the school community’s collective grief over Adler’s untimely death.
“Our hearts are broken and our community has been devastated by this tragedy. Ella shined in our classrooms and on our stages,” Rodriguez said.
“In this time of indescribable pain, we have been moved by the outpouring of kindness and compassion from the Ransom Everglades community.”
A classmate, Myles Gilber, said Adler had many good friends. “I mean, I can’t even imagine the pain they’re feeling,” Gilber said.
Gilber also called the boater who hit Adler and sped away “evil.” “How can you not have the conscience to want to help the girl you just hit with your boat?” she says.
dailymail us
