Police in Florida believe they have discovered the boat that fatally struck dancer Ella Riley Adler, 15, while she was water skiing near Miami over the weekend.
The boat’s driver fled the scene after the horrific collision in Key Biscayne on Saturday, prompting an urgent multi-agency search for the driver and boat.
“The boat is in our custody and the owner is cooperating,” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officer 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 if the owner of the boat was the person operating it when the girl was hit.
According to the FWC, which is still investigating the accident, the teen died while she was in the water celebrating with her friends, but she was not water skiing when she was hit.
Florida police believe they have discovered the boat that fatally struck dancer 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 was a celebrated local dancer with the Miami City Ballet.
Authorities said the boater who struck and killed Ella fled the scene in a blue and white boat and is still being sought by police.
Reynaud said he was in the water at the time “wearing a life jacket” and “ski boards still on his feet” in the moments before the horror accident.
He described the vessel as “white to light blue in color, with blue or dark blue bottom paint.” The boat probably had two wideboard engines, he said, “but they could have up to four wideboard engines according to different witness reports.”
Witnesses also described the getaway boat as a center console boat with a light blue hull, multiple white outboard motors and blue bottom paint.
The lifeguards said WSVN They arrived at the scene and found “a lot of blood in the water.”
A total reward of up to $20,000 was being offered for information leading to an arrest.
Tributes have poured in for the talented Florida teenager following her tragic death, with her family saying that “when she walked into a room, everyone was drawn to her.”
Adler’s funeral was held Monday morning at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach.
Florida police believe they have discovered the boat that fatally struck dancer Ella Riley Adler, 15, while water skiing in Miami.
She was a celebrated local dancer who participated in performances of The Nutcracker and performed more than 100 times for the Miami City Ballet.
She (center), a talented dancer, “radiated on stage” and her family said she “belonged and thrived” while performing.
Tributes poured in for the Florida teenager after her tragic death, as officials said she was wearing her life jacket and celebrating a friend’s birthday.
The talented teen’s school said she ‘shined in our classrooms and on our stages’
The teenager was a high achiever and was involved in many different organizations and clubs, including her school’s Jewish Student Association, the debate team, and the Miami City Ballet.
‘She 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 Miami City Ballet spokesman Billy Zavelson.
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. She shone in our classrooms and on our stages,” RodrÃguez said.
“In this time of unspeakable grief, we have been touched by the outpouring of kindness and compassion from the Ransom Everglades community.”
A fellow student, Myles Gilber, said Adler had many good friends. “I mean, I can’t even imagine the pain they’re going through,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert also called the boater who hit Adler and sped away “evil.” ‘How is it possible that you don’t have the conscience of wanting to help the girl you just hit with your boat?’ she said.