Officials in Florida are searching for a boater who fatally struck a juvenile while she was waterskiing on Saturday, May 11.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the hit-and-run occurred at around 4:30 p.m. Saturday near Nixon Beach, off Key Biscayne in Miami-Dade County, and the girl died of her injuries.
The agency did not identify the victim, but the girl's family identified her on Sunday, May 12 as 15-year-old Ella Ridley Adler. She was a student at Ransom Everglades School, and danced with the Miami City Ballet.
"We are heartbroken," Ransom Everglades School wrote on Facebook on Monday. "Ella Adler '27 shined in our classrooms and on our stages, and she embodied the mission of Ransom Everglades School. We wish peace and comfort to her family."
Per reports, Adler was out on the water celebrating a friend's birthday.
The FWC said the vessel that struck Adler was last seen heading westbound from Nixon Beach. It was described as a center console boat with a light blue hull. The boat has multiple white outboard motors and may have blue or dark blue bottom paint.
The agency is asking any witnesses who were in the area at the time of the collision, anyone with video of the incident, or anyone with information about the boat to come forward or submit an anonymous tip.
—TMX contributed to this report.