Orlando, FL (January 23, 2026) – A devastating weekend crash involving a marked Orlando police vehicle has claimed the life of a 92-year-old woman, Milagros Ortiz, whose family is now demanding justice.
The accident occurred early Sunday morning around 1:45 a.m. at the intersection of Semoran Blvd and Hoffner Ave. According to the initial traffic crash report, a marked Orlando police cruiser was stopped at a red light on westbound Hoffner Ave but proceeded into the intersection, striking the driver’s side of a southbound Jeep carrying Ortiz and a 64-year-old family friend.
Officials confirmed that Ortiz sustained critical injuries in the crash and was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center by emergency responders. Despite efforts by medical staff, she passed away at 6:59 p.m. on Monday, surrounded by loved ones.
Ortiz’s family described her as vibrant, full of life, and far from the image of a frail senior. “She was a strong 92, a vibrant 92,” said her daughter, Evelyn Alicea, noting that doctors were often surprised by her mother’s vitality. The family said Ortiz had just returned from her weekly Saturday night bingo game when the crash occurred.
Witnesses and video footage supported the crash report’s finding that the officer failed to yield the right of way, directly leading to the fatal impact. Both vehicles were heavily damaged and towed from the scene. The officer involved, Ortiz, and her friend were all transported to the hospital.
“She was afraid,” Alicea recalled, describing the last moments she shared with her mother after the crash. “She kept saying, ‘My chest hurts.’”
Ortiz’s family is now calling on the State Attorney’s Office to pursue charges against the officer, demanding accountability in what they believe was a preventable tragedy. “Just because you’re a police officer, that doesn’t allow you to just go and run a red light,” said Judy Santiago, Ortiz’s daughter. “Now that my mother’s gone, he needs to be charged.”
As of Tuesday, the Orlando Police Department confirmed that their Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating the crash but declined to say whether the officer was on duty at the time. The officer’s current condition has not been disclosed.
Ortiz leaves behind a large family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all struggling to cope with the sudden loss of a beloved matriarch. Their grief is compounded by a desire for answers—and justice.
