Teenage girl killed in Florida hit-and-run boat crash, authorities say

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (TND) — Authorities in Florida said they are searching for the driver of a boat who hit and killed a teenage girl while she was waterskiing on Mother's Day weekend.

WSVN identified the girl as 15-year-old Ella Adler.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said the teen was waterskiing near Nixon Beach in Key Biscayne when she was hit by a boat Saturday around 4:30 p.m.

The boat left the scene and the girl later died from her injuries, FWC said.

The agency urged anyone who witnessed the crash to contact them as soon as possible.

Our officers are looking for the vessel that struck her; it was last seen heading westbound from Nixon Beach," the FWC noted on Instagram. "It is 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."

Crime Stoppers Miami and Florida Keys is offering a $5,000 to anyone who comes forward with information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

According to an online obituary on Legacy.com, Adler was a student at Ransom Everglades High School who performed on the school's dance team and in the school's most recent play.

The obituary described her as a hard-working young woman who inspired everyone she met.

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 noted. "Ella was proud to be Jewish and was a member of the Ransom Everglades Jewish Students Association. She was the great-granddaughter of Holocaust survivors. She loved Israel and came from a long line of Jewish leaders with a strong commitment to faith and tikkun olam. She wore her identity proudly and loudly, just like her parents."

She was also the granddaughter of Michael Adler, the U.S. ambassador to Belgium, according to the obituary.

Loved ones shared heartfelt posts about Adler, with her aunt writing an emotional Facebook post.

Ella, from the moment you were born, you emanated light," her aunt wrote on social media. "You have always been the center of our family’s world. You have danced through life with the biggest smile. I have always been so in awe of everything you do, of your grace, of your determination, of your discipline. You shined like a true star on every Adrienne Arsht stage and in every performance you were ever in. I might be your Aunt but I’ve always looked up to you. My kids looked at you like a movie star, our very own family celebrity. We love you and I know you will be in our hearts and a blessing in our memories forever."

The FWC asked anyone who witnessed the crash or anyone who may have video footage or information to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).