Search fatalities

Milagros Ortiz

Age : 92

Gender : Female

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 01/18/2026

Location : Intersection of South Semoran Boulevard and Hoffner Avenue

City : Orlando

County : Orange

State : Florida

Agency : Orlando Police Department

Officer(s) :Andrew McEwan

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Bystander killed by police vehicle crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On the early morning of 01/18/2026, a marked Orlando Police Department cruiser entered the intersection of South Semoran Boulevard and Hoffner Avenue against a red light, colliding with a Jeep Patriot in which 92-year-old Milagros “Millie” Ortiz was a passenger. Ortiz was returning home with a friend from her weekly Saturday night bingo gathering—activities she loved and at which she was known for her lively spirit and dancing. Family and friends described her as the matriarch of a large extended family with numerous children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, fondly recalling her energy, music, and zest for life. The initial traffic crash report, provided by the family, attributed fault to the police cruiser for failing to yield the right of way. Ortiz was hospitalized after the collision and died at Orlando Regional Medical Center on 01/19/2026 surrounded by loved ones. Her family has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump and is calling for accountability and transparency in the investigation, including release of video from the intersection and potential charges against the officer involved. The Orlando Police Department has opened an internal review while its Traffic Homicide Unit investigates. Orange and Osceola County State Attorney Monique Worrell said her office will determine whether criminal charges are appropriate; the investigation remains ongoing. The condition of the driver of the Jeep and the officer involved has been reported as hospitalized but details remain limited.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/01/21/orlando-police-car-runs-stoplight-kills-dancing-grandma/
https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2026/01/21/florida-grandma-killed-orlando-police-ran-red-light/
https://www.wesh.com/article/92-year-old-woman-dead-crash-orlando-police-cruiser/70067045/
https://www.wesh.com/article/orlando-police-officer-ran-red-light-killed-92-year-old/70083248/