[Correction as of Monday, November 5th at 10:45am CST] Previous reports both here at The Watercraft Journal and those made by 7 News Miami (from whom we quoted extensively) were incorrect pertaining to the nature and results of the accident that claimed Manuel “Lito” Aladro’s life on Thursday.
Emergency response found Lito unresponsive, but showing no physical injuries. Rather, the cause of death was attributed to cardiac failure, particularly tragic considering both Lito’s age and physical fitness. CRT Racing’s own Carlito Del Valle stated that Lito was wearing a helmet as was his commitment to safety.
The red Sea-Doo RXT-X 300 shown in the video by 7 News Miami was that belonging to the riding partner accompanying Lito on the ride, who dove in to rescue the downed rider.
Obviously, this is a tragic loss and all of us at The Watercraft Journal want to express our condolences to Lito’s family and friends, and want to thank them for helping quickly correct this report, particularly as the original report improperly represents Lito’s commitment to safety.
[Original report published Monday, November 5th at 12:01am CST]
Late Thursday, word went out that famed top-speed PWC performance-tuning shop CRT Racing had lost one of its key tuners and team members to a fatal accident. According to 7 News Miami, “Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to the scene off Krome Avenue, about two miles north of Okeechobee Road after a jet ski rider fell off the watercraft and suffered severe head injuries, just before 5 p.m., Thursday.”
First-responders found Manuel Aladro, known as “Lito” to friends and the racing community, unconscious with several cuts to his face. The Sea-Doo RXT-X 300 he was riding was filmed still idling nearby, the lanyard still attached to the handlebars. Lito was loaded onto a rescue helicopter and airlifted to Kendall Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time after arriving at the hospital.
A memorial service was held yesterday for friends and family, and a GoFundMe page has been launched to raise the money necessary to return Lito’s remains to his mother and wife in Cuba, which you can support by clicking HERE. Amid this tragedy, it bears recognizing that Lito had substantial experience riding incredibly fast machines, and yet suffered a horrible accident. Please, always wear the proper safety gear, always attach your PWC’s lanyard to your vest or person, and when possible, always ride with a friend.
