Orlando Police Vehicle Runs Red Light, Killing 92-Year-Old Bingo Enthusiast
ORLANDO, Fla. — A community is mourning and a family is seeking answers after 92-year-old Milagros Ortiz died from injuries sustained when the car she was riding in was struck by an Orlando Police Department vehicle that ran a red light earlier this month.
The collision occurred around 1:48 a.m. on January 18 as Ortiz was returning home from her cherished weekly bingo night. According to a preliminary crash report obtained by PEOPLE, the marked police vehicle driven by Officer Andrew McKuhen, 28, failed to yield the right of way and collided with the Jeep Patriot carrying Ortiz, which had a green light.
The report, which cites witness testimony and video evidence, states the officer's emergency lights were activated briefly before the intersection but were turned off as he proceeded through the red light. The police department has confirmed the officer was "at fault for the collision" and has launched both an internal investigation and a traffic homicide investigation.
Ortiz, a vibrant great-great-grandmother known for her love of music, dancing, and puzzles, succumbed to her injuries at Orlando Regional Medical Center on January 19. Her children—Judy Santiago, 64, Evelyn Alicea, 71, and a son also named Antonio—are now calling for Officer McKuhen to be held accountable.
"He needs to know that because of his carelessness, recklessness, negligence, he took someone that still had maybe four or five years of life in her," Santiago told PEOPLE.
Alicea, who lived with her mother, described the moment she learned of the crash from a stranger's phone call. "When I got that call and to find out it was a police officer that actually ran a red light, had no lights and sirens, that's what's really struck the hardest," she said. "They're supposed to serve and protect the community."
The incident has cast a spotlight on police accountability and procedure during non-emergency responses. Legal experts note that while officers have certain privileges when responding to calls, they are still generally required to exercise due care, especially at intersections.
Ortiz's passing has left a void in her large family and her tight-knit "bingo family," a group of 40 to 50 friends she met with every Saturday. "She was the life of the party," Alicea recalled. The tragedy also robbed Ortiz of the chance to meet her newest great-great-grandchild, due in March.
The Orlando Police Department has not released further details on Officer McKuhen's status or the nature of his call prior to the crash. He has not publicly commented on the incident.
Community Voices:
Michael Torres, 58, Retired Teacher: "This is a heartbreaking loss. Ms. Ortiz represented a generation of resilience. The investigations must be transparent and thorough. Trust in our institutions hinges on it."
David Chen, 42, Local Business Owner: "As a daily driver on Semoran, this hits close to home. The report seems clear-cut. The officer made a catastrophic error. The department's response will be a real test of its integrity."
Rebecca Vance, 35, Civil Rights Advocate: "This is not an 'accident'; it's a preventable failure. A 92-year-old woman is dead because an officer disregarded a red light. Where is the urgency? Where is the immediate suspension? This is the epitome of privilege and impunity. The family deserves justice, not just bureaucratic platitudes."
Father Patrick O'Malley, 67, Community Chaplain: "Our prayers are with the Ortiz family. This is a profound tragedy for them and for her many friends. It's also a moment for collective reflection on the sacred responsibility borne by those sworn to protect us."