2 men charged in 2024 boating death of Miami Beach teen Ella Adler, FWC says
More than a year after a fatal boating accident in Biscayne Bay, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has filed misdemeanor charges against two men in connection with the death of a Miami Beach teen, according to the agency.
Ella Adler, 15, was wakeboarding near the Nixon Beach Sandbar on May 11, 2024, when she fell into the water and was fatally struck by another vessel, FWC officials said.
Operator of striking vessel charged
Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 79, was charged on April 28, 2025, with careless operation of a vessel, the FWC said. He also faces two violations of U.S. Coast Guard navigational rules: Rule 2, which addresses the responsibility of the operator, and Rule 5, requiring a proper lookout.
Alonso was operating the vessel that struck Adler, according to investigators.
An attorney for Alonso, who also goes by "Bill" Alonso, issued a statement after the charges were filed.
"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. We understand that FWC is under a lot of pressure from recent events. But now, after telling us that Bill was not to blame, we will need to get to the bottom of this charging decision a year later," according to the statement.
Wakeboard tow operator also charged
The day after Alonso was charged, the FWC charged Edmund Richard Hartley, 31, the operator of the vessel towing Adler at the time of the incident.
Hartley also faces a charge of careless operation of a vessel, along with four violations of Coast Guard navigational rules: Rule 2 (Responsibility), Rule 5 (Look-out), Rule 7 (Risk of Collision) and Rule 8 (Action to Avoid Collision), the FWC said.
Family releases statement
On Tuesday afternoon, the Adler family released the following statement through their attorney:
"We are deeply grateful to the Office of the State Attorney and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for their diligence, professionalism, and commitment throughout this unimaginable process. Their efforts have brought a measure of accountability and clarity during the most painful time in our lives.
As we recently marked the one-year anniversary of Ella's passing, our family remains focused on healing and on honoring Ella's legacy by amplifying the joy, light, and love she brought into the world. Through the newly established Ella Riley Adler Foundation, we are committed to advancing causes that reflect her passions and values, including Jewish community and continuity, education, and the arts, especially dance.
Tragically, week after week, we continue to witness preventable deaths and injuries on South Florida's waterways. It is painfully clear that our current boating laws are inadequate. Florida urgently needs stronger regulations, greater enforcement, meaningful penalties, and comprehensive safety education to prevent future tragedies.
We are inspired by the important work of the Lucy Fernandez Foundation and stand in strong support of Lucy's Law. We are grateful that the Florida Legislature has passed this critical measure, and we urge Governor DeSantis to sign it into law without delay. Boating safety reform is long overdue, and we are committed to being a part of the movement to make lasting and meaningful change."
