2 Men Charged in Death of 15-Year-Old Ballerina Who Was Hit by a Boat While Wakeboarding in Florida

Two men have been charged in the death of Ella Adler, a 15-year-old ballerina who was killed in a boating accident in May 2024.

Adler was fatally struck by a boat after falling while wakeboarding on May 11 on a beach in Key Biscayne, Florida. In a statement shared on Instagram at the time, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) revealed that they were searching for the driver of the boat that allegedly hit Adler after it left the scene.

Carlos Guillermo Alonso was later identified as the owner, according to an incident report reviewed by PEOPLE in May 2024. At the time, no charges had been handed down.

After a “thorough investigation” conducted by the FWC, Alonso and Edmund Richard Hartley, who was driving the boat towing Adler, have both been charged with multiple misdemeanors, the FWC confirmed to PEOPLE.

According to a FWC statement obtained by PEOPLE, Alonso was charged with Violation of U.S. Coast Guard Navigational Rule #2 – Responsibility and Violation of U.S. Coast Guard Navigational Rule #5 – Look-out.

Hartley received four charges: Violation of U.S. Coast Guard Navigational Rule #2 – Responsibility, Violation of U.S. Coast Guard Navigational Rule #5 – Look-out, Violation of U.S. Coast Guard Navigational Rule #7 – Risk of Collision and Violation of U.S. Coast Guard Navigational Rule #8 – Action to Avoid Collision.

They have both pleaded not guilty, according to the Associated Press.

The charges were handed down in April 2025 and are all related to Careless Operation of a Vessel.

“The FWC extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ella Adler. Our thoughts remain with them as they continue to cope with this unimaginable loss,” the organization said in the statement.

Related Stories

Duck Boat Survivor Who Lost 9 Family Members Sues Boat Operators

Justin Sutherland Is ‘Excited to Get Back on the Water’ 8 Months After Boating Accident Scarred His Face

Lauren Field Krasnoff, a lawyer representing Alonso, spoke out about the tragedy in May 2024, saying that he “had absolutely no idea” that he allegedly struck Adler and that he was “as devastated as anybody could be,” per NBC 6.

“We are devastated for the Adlers, for their friends, their family, there’s no question in our minds that this is a absolutely horrific thing that happened and we pray for and think of their family and friends during this time,” Krasnoff said.

At the time, Krasnoff said that Alonso was working with the police on the investigation.

“He has had no contact with the criminal system. He does not drink, and he was not drinking on that Saturday,” she added. 

According to the incident report PEOPLE reviewed in 2024, Alonso was only on the boat with one other person at the time of the accident. It was not clear then if he was driving the vehicle.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Wednesday, June 4, Krasnoff said that her team was “very surprised” about the charges.

“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,” she said.

Krasnoff continued, adding, “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.”

In her obituary, Adler was described as “a force of nature.”

“When she was near, everyone felt a gravitational pull toward her,” the tribute read, adding that “she emanated love and joy.”

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.  

It continued: “She loved to dance, she loved her friends, and most of all she loved her family – her parents, Amanda and Matthew, and her younger siblings Jaden and Adalynn.”

As a dancer, Adler performed in “over 100 performances” of The Nutcracker with Miami City Ballet at the Adrienne Arsht Center. She also danced in high school and had recently appeared in a school play.

“She was loyal. She was compassionate. She always believed in speaking up for what was right and she always spoke her mind, but with warmth and grace,” the obituary read.