Florida police believe they have discovered the boat that fatally struck 15-year-old ballerina Ella Riley Adler while she was water skiing near Miami this weekend.
The boat operator fled the scene after the horrific collision off Key Biscayne on Saturday, prompting an urgent multi-agency search for the operator and the vessel.
“The boat is in our care and the owner is cooperating,” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation official George Reynaud confirmed in a Facebook video, though the driver remains at large.
Officials did not immediately say where the boat was found or how it was located. It was also not clear whether the owner of the ship was the person operating it when the girl was hit.
According to the FWC, which is still investigating the crash, the teen was killed while partying on the water with her friends, but was not actively water skiing when she was struck.
Florida police believe they have discovered the boat that fatally struck 15-year-old ballerina Ella Riley Adler while she was water skiing in Miami this weekend
Ella’s (center) devastated family described her as a “force of nature” who “loved to dance,” and she was a celebrated local ballerina with the Miami City Ballet.
Officials said the boater who struck and killed Ella fled the scene in a blue and white boat and is still wanted by police
Reynaud said she was in the water at the time “with a life jacket on” and “ski boards still on her feet” in the moments before the horror crash.
He described the vessel as “white to light blue in color, with blue or dark blue bottom paint.” The boat likely had two wideboard engines, he said, “but based on various witness accounts, it could have been four wideboard engines.”
Witnesses also described the hit-and-run as a center console boat with a light blue hull, multiple white outboard motors and blue bottom paint.
First responders told WSVN they arrived on the scene and found ‘a lot of blood in the water’ in the aftermath.
A total reward of up to $20,000 was offered for information leading to an arrest.
Tributes have been paid to 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 took place Monday morning at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach.
Florida police believe they have discovered the boat that fatally struck 15-year-old ballerina Ella Riley Adler while she was water skiing in Miami
Ella was a celebrated local ballerina who was cast in performances of The Nutcracker and performed more than 100 times for the Miami City Ballet
Ella (center), a talented ballerina, “shined on stage” and her family said she “belonged and thrived” during the performance
Tributes poured in for the Florida teen following her tragic death, as officials say she was wearing her life jacket and celebrating a friend’s birthday
The talented teen school said she ‘shone in our classrooms and on our stages’
The teen 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.
“Ella Adler was not only a beloved student and a fantastic dancer who graced our stage in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker; she was an integral part of our family,” said Miami City Ballet spokesperson 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 is devastated by this tragedy. Ella shined in our classrooms and on our stages,” Rodriguez said.
“During this time of unspeakable pain, we are moved 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,” Gilber said.
Gilber also called the boater who hit Adler and fled the scene “evil.” “How can you not have the conscience to want to help the girl you just hit with your boat?” she said.