Authorities in Florida are intensifying their search for a boater involved in a hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of 15-year-old Ella Adler, a talented ballerina from Miami. The tragic event occurred on Saturday afternoon, May 11, while Ella was waterskiing near Nixon Beach in Key Biscayne.

Ella, a student at Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove, was enjoying the sunny day on the water when a boat, described as a light blue center console with possibly blue or dark blue bottom paint and three or four white outboard engines, struck her. Witnesses reported seeing the vessel heading west immediately after the collision, leaving Ella severely injured in the water.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued a statement on Sunday, May 12, urging anyone with information about the boat or the incident to come forward. “We are heartbroken,” said a representative from Ransom Everglades School. “Ella Adler shined in our classrooms and on our stages, and she embodied the mission of Ransom Everglades School.”

Ella’s family and friends are devastated by the sudden loss of such a vibrant young life. Her obituary highlights her remarkable talent as a ballerina, noting her participation in over 100 performances with the Miami City Ballet. She was described as a “force of nature” and a “star on the stage” whose magnetism captivated everyone around her.

The FWC is working to piece together the events that led up to the fatal collision. The vessel involved was last seen heading west from Nixon Beach around 4:30 p.m. on the day of the incident. The Commission has appealed to the public for help, asking witnesses or anyone with video footage to contact the Wildlife Alert Hotline.

Ella’s untimely death has led to an outpouring of support and condolences from the community. Ransom Everglades School held a memorial service, where classmates and teachers gathered to remember Ella’s bright spirit. Principal Rachel Rodriguez expressed the community’s grief, stating, “Our hearts are broken and our community has been devastated by this tragedy. Ella shined in our classrooms and on our stages.”

In addition to her academic achievements, Ella was deeply involved in extracurricular activities. She was an active member of the debate team and various other school clubs. Billy Zavelson, a spokesman for the Miami City Ballet, mourned the loss, saying, “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.”

The search for the person responsible continues as investigators sift through leads and witness statements. Maritime law experts have pointed out that while boaters are generally required to keep an accurate lookout for water skiers, there is no legal requirement to display a dive flag when waterskiing. The incident has sparked discussions about the need for stricter boating safety regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.

A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information leading to the identification of the person responsible for Adler’s death. Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers and the FWC are each offering $5,000, with the Adler family contributing an additional $10,000. 

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who knows the family personally, extended her deepest condolences to the Adlers and emphasized the importance of boat safety. “Ella was a bright young soul,” she said, urging the public to exercise better boat safety to ensure that tragedies like this never happen again.

The Adler family joins other families who have experienced similar losses in calling for mandatory boating safety courses and stricter enforcement of existing regulations. Florida currently does not require a boating license, and only those born after January 1, 1988, must complete a boating safety course.

Ella Adler’s funeral services on Monday morning brought in hundreds to celebrate her life.