A 15-year-old ballerina was tragically killed in a hit-and-run boat crash while water skiing in Miami over the weekend, officials reported.
Ella Riley Adler, a student at Ransom Everglades School, was celebrating a friend’s birthday on Saturday afternoon at Key Biscayne’s Nixon Beach when she was struck by a boat that then sped away, according to WSVN.
Ella, who danced with the Miami City Ballet, was left in the water with significant injuries as first responders described seeing “a lot of blood.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which is investigating the incident, said no suspect has been identified yet. Authorities have offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, with an additional $5,000 from Miami Crime Stoppers.
According to the FWC, Ella was wearing her life vest and skis in the water when a boat, described as light blue with a darker blue bottom, hit her. A witness noted that the boat’s center console struck Ella and did not swerve or slow down as it approached, NBC 6 reports.
Ella’s death has devastated her family and community, leaving many mourning the loss of the talented young dancer who had performed in over 100 shows with the Miami City Ballet.
“Miami City Ballet School is utterly devastated by the heartbreaking news of this tragic accident,” the dance company said in a statement. “Ella Adler was not just a beloved student and a magnificent dancer who graced our stage in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker; she was an integral part of our family, radiating potential and promise, known for her kindness, warmth, and infectious joy.”
A funeral service for Ella was held on Monday at the Temple Beth Shalom synagogue, where friends and family celebrated her talent and radiant personality.
“Her magnetism radiated on the stage, where she belonged and thrived,” her obituary read. “Her love of dance continued at Ransom Everglades, where she performed on the dance team and, just a few weeks ago, in the school play.”
