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https://dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/washington-dc/suspect-charged-with-second-degree-murder-after-deadly-police-chase-crash-near-white-house/

On 01/06/2026, 92-year-old Milagros “Millie” Ortiz was fatally injured when an Orlando Police Department patrol vehicle driven by Officer Andrew McKuhen collided with the Jeep in which Ortiz was riding as a front-seat passenger at South Semoran Boulevard and Hoffner Avenue in Orlando. Ortiz later died from her injuries.
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Ortiz was returning home from playing bingo and was riding in a friend's Jeep when the collision occurred. She was not involved in the police activity that preceded the crash.
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McKuhen was stopped at a red traffic signal when he reportedly observed another motorist make an illegal U-turn. McKuhen then began moving his marked police vehicle into the intersection in an effort to respond to that traffic violation.
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Video evidence subsequently reviewed by WESH and other news organizations showed McKuhen activate the patrol vehicle's emergency lights as he entered the intersection. However, the lights appeared steady rather than flashing normally. Seconds later, the emergency lights went completely dark while McKuhen continued accelerating into the intersection.
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A witness reported not hearing a police siren before the collision. The patrol vehicle continued through the intersection and entered the path of the Jeep carrying Ortiz.
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The Orlando police vehicle struck the Jeep. Ortiz suffered severe injuries and was transported to a hospital, where she later died. Her death was directly attributable to injuries sustained in the collision with the police vehicle.
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The traffic crash investigation found McKuhen at fault for failing to yield the right of way at Hoffner Avenue and Semoran Boulevard.
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The subsequent investigation also uncovered problems involving the emergency-warning equipment on McKuhen's patrol vehicle. According to the wrongful-death lawsuit later filed by Ortiz's family, the police vehicle had a documented history of recurring problems with its emergency warning equipment before the fatal collision but remained available for police use.
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The State Attorney's Office reviewed the crash for possible criminal charges against McKuhen. Prosecutors ultimately declined to charge him with vehicular homicide, concluding that the available evidence did not establish the level of reckless driving required to support a criminal prosecution. Ortiz's family publicly expressed disappointment with that decision.
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On 08/12/2026, which would have been Ortiz's 93rd birthday, her family formally filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the City of Orlando seeking $92 million in damages. Civil-rights attorney Benjamin Crump is representing the family.
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The lawsuit focuses both on McKuhen's driving and on the condition of the patrol vehicle. The family alleges that the city allowed the police vehicle to remain in service despite documented recurring problems with its emergency warning equipment.
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Ortiz's daughter, Judy Santiago, has publicly described the continuing emotional impact of losing her mother and joined the family in pursuing the wrongful-death action after prosecutors declined criminal charges against McKuhen.
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The civil lawsuit remains pending. Orlando police and City of Orlando officials declined to comment publicly on the allegations because of the ongoing litigation.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
Officer Andrew McKuhen was identified as the Orlando Police Department officer driving the patrol vehicle that struck the Jeep carrying Ortiz. The official crash investigation found McKuhen at fault for failure to yield the right of way. The State Attorney's Office subsequently declined to prosecute him for vehicular homicide.

https://www.wesh.com/article/orlando-police-crash-wrongful-death-lawsuit/73416915
https://www.wesh.com/article/orlando-milagros-ortiz-family-disappointed-no-charges/71539741
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2026/08/12/family-set-to-announce-dollar92m-lawsuit-against-orlando-police/

Portland Police Bureau and Port of Portland officers were involved in an incident on the night of January 5, 2026, in northeast Portland. Officers attempted to stop a vehicle for failure to display license plates near NE Prescott Street and NE 116th Avenue. Police said the driver did not stop and fled at a high rate of speed; officers did not pursue but tracked the vehicle’s movements via radio. The vehicle was later located near NE 124th Avenue and NE Fremont Street after reports of a car fire. Police found the vehicle had struck a parked car, crashed, and caught fire; the driver had been ejected. Officers moved the driver away from the burning vehicle and attempted life-saving measures. The driver was pronounced dead at the location. On February 9, 2026, the Portland Police Bureau released the driver’s identity as 40-year-old Jerry D. Brown of Portland and confirmed that his family had been notified. The Bureau’s Major Crash Team is leading the investigation.

https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2026/01/driver-dies-in-fiery-ne-portland-crash-while-eluding-police.html
https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/portland-police-chase-fiery-crash/283-2026
https://www.koin.com/news/portland/fiery-crash-ne-portland-police-chase/
https://www.kgw.com/article/news/crime/driver-killed-fiery-crash-fleeing-portland-police/283-3c9d01f1-e8be-454c-a2b8-d43338a85fb2

On 01/05/2026, Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to stop a minibike in the Cloverleaf area of east Harris County for traffic violations. Police said the rider did not stop. Deputies escalated a pursuit through neighborhood streets. During the chase, the minibike crashed. Deputies and emergency medical personnel responded and found the rider unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the crash location. Reporting identified the rider as a teenage boy; authorities have not publicly released his name or exact age. Law enforcement stated the crash occurred after the attempted stop and pursuit. The investigation is being handled by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division.

https://www.countryherald.com/news/harris-county-tx-crash-alert-motorcycle-operator-dies-after-police-pursuit/
https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/01/05/motorcyclist-killed-after-chase-harris-county/
https://abc13.com/post/teen-killed-accident-following-motorbike-pursuit-east-harris-county-was-being-pulled-traffic-violations-hcso-says/18350963/

On 01/05/2026, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to stop a vehicle reported stolen in the Palmetto area. Police said the driver did not stop and deputies escalated a pursuit. Deputies chased the vehicle through city streets until it entered the 1800 block of 17th Street East, where it left the roadway and overturned. Deputies located 18-year-old Michael Jerome Austin of Ruskin inside the crashed vehicle. Emergency personnel transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Law enforcement stated the vehicle had been reported stolen prior to the attempted stop. The Florida Highway Patrol is conducting the crash investigation.

https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/crime/article289301035.html
https://www.fox13news.com/news/suspected-car-thief-killed-rollover-crash-mcso
https://www.mysuncoast.com/2026/01/teen-driver-dies-crash-after-fleeing-deputies-stolen-vehicle/

On 01/05/2026, Daphne Police Department officers responded to a barricade situation involving James Mitchell McMasters in the Jubilee Farms community. After negotiations, McMasters left the area on a motorcycle. Officers attempted to stop him, and police escalated a pursuit. At approximately 1:20 a.m., while traveling near the intersection of State Highway 181 and Pleasant Road in Baldwin County, the motorcycle left the roadway and struck a tree. McMasters sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the crash location. Reporting states the earlier incident involved a firearm. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is reviewing the crash.

https://www.fox10tv.com/2026/01/05/man-daphne-barricading-incident-dies-motorcycle-crash-police-say/
https://www.lagniappemobile.com/news/daphne/man-charged-in-standoff-dies-in-crash/article_705fe5fb-b5fe-4ee1-acfa-1d346979642e.html
https://bluerammedia.com/armed-daphne-man-barricades-himself-in-the-jubilee-farms-community-later-dies-in-wreck/

On 01/05/2026, West Milwaukee Police Department officers attempted to stop a vehicle during the morning hours. Police said the driver did not stop, and officers escalated a pursuit into Milwaukee. During the pursuit, the vehicle entered a roundabout on the city’s south side at a high rate of speed, left the roadway, and crashed. The crash resulted in a vehicle fire. Izack Zavala, 18, who was a passenger in the vehicle, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead. Authorities have not released the identity of the driver. Law enforcement agencies stated the investigation into the pursuit and crash is ongoing.

https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/teen-passenger-dies-in-fiery-crash-after-fleeing-driver-crashes-into-milwaukee-roundabout
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/crime/2026/01/05/police-chase-ends-in-fiery-crash-milwaukee/
https://www.fox6now.com/news/milwaukee-police-chase-roundabout-crash

On 01/05/2026, New Haven Police Department officers attempted a traffic stop during the morning hours. Police said the driver did not stop, and officers escalated a pursuit through city streets. The vehicle later traveled along Whalley Avenue, left the roadway, and struck a tree. The crash resulted in fatal injuries to both occupants. Destiny Ellis, 16, was a passenger in the vehicle and was pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the collision. The driver also died as a result of the crash. Reporting indicated uncertainty about whether officers had called off the chase prior to the impact. The Connecticut State Police are reviewing the incident.

https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/new-haven/two-dead-after-car-crash-fleeing-new-haven-police/
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/two-killed-after-police-chase-crash-new-haven/

On 01/05/2026, New Haven Police Department officers attempted to stop a vehicle reported stolen traveling along Whalley Avenue during the morning hours. Police said the driver, identified as 13-year-old Marshall Curry, did not stop. Officers escalated a pursuit through city streets. During the pursuit, the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. Marshall Curry sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead from injuries related to the crash. Destiny Ellis, 16, was a passenger in the vehicle and also died as a result of the collision. Authorities reported uncertainty about whether officers had called off the chase prior to the impact. The Connecticut State Police are reviewing the incident.

https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/new-haven/two-dead-after-car-crash-fleeing-new-haven-police/
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/two-killed-after-police-chase-crash-new-haven/https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/new-haven-car-crash-whalley-ave-destiny-ellis-21285787.php
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/driver-in-double-fatal-new-haven-crash-was-13-year-old-boy-officials-say/3684475/

On 01/05/2026, Walker Police Department officers attempted to stop a vehicle traveling on Walker North Road. Police said the driver did not stop and officers escalated a pursuit. During the chase, the vehicle left the roadway and struck multiple trees. The crash resulted in fatal injuries to the driver, identified as 21-year-old Jowarski Nedd. He was pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the collision. Reporting states the pursuit occurred at high speed before the vehicle left the roadway. The investigation is being handled by Walker Police Department.

https://www.wbrz.com/news/21-year-old-man-dead-after-crashing-into-trees-along-walker-north-road/

On 01/03/2026, a teenage boy riding a minibike was killed in a crash in east Harris County after a Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to stop him for a traffic violation. Police said the teen did not stop and deputies chased him through nearby streets. During the chase, the teen entered the intersection of Wallisville Road and Uvalde Road and collided with another vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred shortly after the attempted stop. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division is investigating the pursuit and crash, with review by internal investigators and the district attorney’s office.

https://abc13.com/post/teen-killed-accident-following-motorbike-pursuit-east-harris-county-was-being-pulled-traffic-violations-hcso-says/18350963/
https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/01/04/teen-killed-in-minibike-crash-after-pursuit-with-harris-county-sheriffs-office/

On 01/03/2026, a passenger was killed in a crash in Fort Worth after police chased a vehicle through city streets. Police said officers attempted to stop a vehicle traveling the wrong way on Exchange Avenue. The driver did not stop, and police escalated a chase. After a second attempted stop, the driver continued driving before losing control of the vehicle near East 4th Street, where it struck a utility pole. The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was critically injured and transported to a hospital. The Fort Worth Police Department is investigating the crash.

https://www.fox4news.com/news/driver-critical-passenger-dead-after-fleeing-fort-worth-police
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2026/01/03/1-dead-1-injured-after-police-chase-leads-to-traffic-accident-in-fort-worth-on-saturday/
https://dfwscanner.net/2026/01/03/driver-critically-hurt-passenger-killed-in-crash-while-evading-police-fort-worth-police-say/

On 01/03/2026, a driver was killed in a crash in Beaverton after Portland police attempted to stop the vehicle for reckless driving. Police said the driver did not stop, and officers escalated a chase that continued from Portland into Beaverton. After officers reduced direct engagement, the vehicle continued driving and later crashed at Southwest Barnes Road and Southwest Valeria View Drive. The driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicles were involved. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team is investigating the crash.

https://www.koin.com/news/crime/driver-killed-in-beaverton-crash-after-portland-police-pursuit/
https://www.katu.com/news/local/driver-speeds-off-from-portland-police-traffic-stop-dies-minutes-later-in-beaverton-crash-oregon-collision-barnes-road-burnside-driver-reckless-driving
https://www.portland.gov/police/news/2026/1/3/vehicle-eluded-police-found-crashed-and-driver-deceased-beaverton

On 01/01/2026, a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper attempted to stop a vehicle in Knoxville for a traffic violation. The driver did not stop, and troopers initiated a pursuit. The chase continued onto Papermill Drive, where the fleeing vehicle crashed. Ronald White, 35, who was riding as a passenger in the vehicle, was killed in the crash. The driver also died. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the pursuit and collision. The driver was also killed.

https://www.wvlt.tv/2026/01/01/two-dead-after-tennessee-highway-patrol-chase-ends-knoxville-crash/

WEAPON STATUS
No weapon reported in coverage.
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BODY CAMERA STATUS
No reporting indicates body camera footage has been released. No confirmation whether footage exists.
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On 01/01/2026, Blue Springs Police officers conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 70 near Adams Dairy Parkway in Blue Springs, Missouri. During the stop, a male teenager exited the vehicle and ran across lanes of traffic on the interstate. While running across I-70, he was struck by a passing vehicle. He was pronounced dead after the collision. Police have not released his identity or age and have provided limited details about the original reason for the traffic stop. The incident remains under investigation.

https://fox4kc.com/news/teen-killed-while-running-from-traffic-stop-on-i-70-in-blue-springs/

On 01/01/2026, Clovis Police officers attempted to stop a vehicle for reckless driving. The driver, identified as Julian Romo, did not stop, and officers initiated a pursuit through city streets. The chase reached high speeds and ended at the intersection of 21st Street and Prince Street when the vehicle crashed. Jesus Romo, 27, who was a passenger in the fleeing vehicle, was killed in the crash. The driver survived and was later charged with multiple felony offenses, including homicide by vehicle. The Clovis Police Department initiated the pursuit, and the crash remains under investigation.

https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/man-julian-romo-charged-with-homicide-after-high-speed-chase-on-new-years-day-ends-in-fatal-crash-jesus-romo-clovis-police-vehicular-homicide
https://kvia.com/news/2026/01/02/man-charged-after-high-speed-chase-ends-in-brothers-death/

On 01/01/2026, a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper attempted to stop a vehicle in Knoxville for a traffic violation. The driver did not stop, and troopers initiated a pursuit that continued onto Papermill Drive. The pursuit ended when the fleeing vehicle crashed. Da’Qasia Middleton, 21, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was killed in the crash. Another occupant of the vehicle also died. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the pursuit and collision. Two people were killed.

https://www.wvlt.tv/2026/01/01/two-dead-after-tennessee-highway-patrol-chase-ends-knoxville-crash/

On 03/01/2025, an off-duty Washington State Patrol trooper drove her personal vehicle on State Route 240 and turned left into oncoming traffic. Her vehicle struck a motorcycle operated by Jhoser Sanchez. He was transported to a hospital where he died. Investigators reported the trooper showed signs of impairment and later measured a blood alcohol level above the legal limit.

https://mynorthwest.com/crime-blotter/sarah-clasen-dui-richland/4217446