Two Florida men, Carlos "Bill" Alonso and Edmund Hartley, have found themselves at the center of a tragedy that has shaken the Miami community. Ella Adler, a 15-year-old ballerina and high school freshman, became the victim of a fatal boating incident in Key Biscayne that has since sparked a debate over boating safety and accountability.

According to Fox News, misdemeanor charges were filed against Alonso, 79, and Hartley, 31, for their alleged roles in the deadly hit-and-run that claimed Adler’s life in May 2024. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) brought the charges after a lengthy investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The case has garnered significant attention, not only due to the age and accomplishments of the victim—who was a dedicated performer with the Miami City Ballet—but also the nature of the allegations and the response from both the accused and the victim’s grieving family.

Wakeboarding turns tragic

On the day of the accident, Ella Adler and a friend were wakeboarding near Nixon Beach in Key Biscayne, south of Miami. Hartley was operating the boat towing the girls, carrying around a dozen people on board. Officials say that both girls fell into the water, but in different locations, setting the stage for the chain of events that followed.

While Adler was in the water, a second boat—a center console with blue bottom paint and multiple outboard engines—struck her and then sped away from the scene, according to witness accounts. This description eventually led investigators to Alonso’s Boston Whaler, docked outside his Coral Gables residence.

Alonso’s attorneys have vigorously denied any wrongdoing on his part, claiming he was unaware that he had hit anyone. They point to Alonso’s boating experience and character, suggesting the charges are misplaced.

Families, lawyers speak out

The Adler family, still reeling from Ella’s loss, has remembered her as a talented, loving, and proud Jewish-American teenager, the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors. Her obituary notes her passion for ballet, having performed in over 100 Miami City Ballet shows, and her commitment to faith and community.

Amid the grief, both families have sought to clarify their positions. Alonso’s attorney, Lauren Krasnoff, issued a statement to Fox News Digital: "What happened last year was an absolute tragedy, but it was not Bill’s fault. Bill is an experienced and cautious boater and that is how he acted that day. FWC explicitly told us that they did not find Bill’s actions caused the accident. Because of that, we were very surprised to learn about the citations."

Neither Hartley nor his attorney has provided public comment since the filing of charges. The FWC, meanwhile, extended condolences to the Adler family, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the agency’s commitment to a thorough investigation.

Questions of responsibility and safety

Both Alonso and Hartley are charged with multiple counts of careless operation of a vessel. Alonso faces two violations of U.S. Coast Guard navigational rules, while Hartley is accused of violating four. Each has pleaded not guilty.

The incident has sparked renewed calls for improved boating safety in Florida, a state with one of the highest rates of recreational boating accidents in the country. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava addressed the tragedy on social media, urging the community to honor Adler’s memory by practicing better boat safety.

The case has also prompted scrutiny of how boating laws are enforced and whether current regulations are sufficient to prevent similar tragedies. Critics argue that hit-and-run boating incidents remain difficult to prosecute and that penalties are often too lenient.

Why this story matters

This story resonates far beyond southeast Florida because it underscores the life-altering consequences of carelessness on the water. It also highlights how lapses in maritime protocols can lead to legal accountability and community trauma. Ella Adler’s death has renewed calls for better safety enforcement and serves as a poignant reminder of the real human toll behind boating accidents. Ensuring boater education and regulation is not just a policy goal; it is a community imperative.

Conclusion

In May 2024, 15-year-old Ella Adler lost her life in a tragic boating incident while wakeboarding near Nixon Beach. Her death came after being struck by a vessel operated by Carlos "Bill" Alonso, who left the scene while the boat towing her was captained by Edmund Hartley.

Authorities have since charged both men with violating multiple navigational laws, prompting pleas from officials for increased boating safety in Ella’s memory. Her bright spirit and dedication to ballet and her faith continue to inspire her community as the case moves through court. Both Alonso and Hartley have entered not-guilty pleas as the investigation, led by the FWC, proceeds.