Florida Boater Avoids Jail in Wakeboarding Death of Teenage Ballerina Ella Adler

A 79-year-old Florida boater accused of killing a teenage ballerina in a hit-and-run boating crash while she was wakeboarding in Miami has avoided jail time after accepting a plea deal that resulted in probation and fines, as reported by the New York Post.

Carlos Guillermo “Bill” Alonso, 79, was sentenced Monday in Miami-Dade County court to six months of probation for the 2024 death of 15-year-old Ella Adler, according to the Key Biscayne Independent.

Alonso was also ordered to complete a boater safety course and was barred from operating a vessel during the probation period.

Florida boater accused of killing teen in crash avoids jail time with plea deal. Carlos Guillermo “Bill” Alonso pleaded guilty in a deadly 2024 incident in which he fatally struck 15-year-old Ella Adler with his boat. https://t.co/7DZedI0aYQ pic.twitter.com/bM83XUbAY4

— Major Digest (@major_digest) January 8, 2026

Prosecutors had charged Alonso with two misdemeanor counts of careless vessel operation after authorities said he piloted his 42-foot yacht through a crowded Key Biscayne waterway and struck Adler while she was in the water.

Under the plea agreement, Alonso avoided a possible 60-day county jail sentence and will not have a formal conviction if he completes probation without violations.

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Alonso’s attorney, Lauren Field Krasnoff, said Tuesday that the deal would clear the charges entirely if probation is completed successfully.

“Our hearts go out to the Adler family. This was a tragic accident, and of course, Bill never intended to hurt anyone that day,” Field Krasnoff said.

She said Alonso accepted the plea agreement in part to reduce further pain for the Adler family and to help bring attention to the Ella Riley Adler Foundation.

As part of the sentence, Alonso was ordered to complete a 75-hour boating safety course, donate $5,000 to the Florida Crime Victims Compensation Fund in Adler’s memory, and pay a $500 state fine along with court costs.

Authorities also prohibited him from operating any vessel during probation.

Adler, the granddaughter of former U.S. ambassador to Belgium Michael Adler, was wakeboarding with friends in Key Biscayne while celebrating her birthday when she fell into the water.

Witnesses told investigators the teenager was treading water when she was struck and killed.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission initially classified the case as a hit-and-run after investigators were unable to immediately locate Alonso’s vessel.

Days later, the yacht was found docked behind his home in a gated Coral Gables community.

Security camera footage later released by Alonso’s attorneys showed him leaving his residence by boat earlier that day and returning calmly later that afternoon.

His legal team argued the footage supported their claim that Alonso did not realize he had struck someone in the water.

Florida boater, 79, accused of killing teen ballerina Ella Adler in hit and run crash sentenced to 6 months probation https://t.co/9FmKhguRFs via @nypost

— Chris (@Chris_1791) January 7, 2026

Adler was a student at Ransom Everglades High School, where she excelled on the debate and dance teams.

She had performed in the musical “Chicago” just weeks before her death and appeared more than 100 times with the Miami City Ballet.

Her father, Matthew Adler, addressed the court on Monday, describing his daughter as a joyful presence.

“Ella was extraordinary. She radiated joy, kindness, and creativity in every room she entered,” he said. “She didn’t just live. She danced through life.”

Matthew Adler also urged lawmakers to impose stricter regulations on Florida waterways, saying boating laws lag behind rules governing motorists.

“Too many children are dying on our waterways,” he said. “Imagine if someone proposed eliminating driver’s license insurance or accountability on the roads.”

Also charged in the case was Edmund Richard Hartley, the captain of the boat towing Adler and another girl, who was not injured.

Hartley has pleaded not guilty to four counts of careless boating and violations of navigation rules, including failure to maintain a lookout and failure to avoid a collision. He faces up to 60 days in jail if convicted.

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