An Orlando police officer who killed a 92-year-old woman in a January crash received only an 80-hour suspension and returned to full duty in May, despite the victim’s family filing a $92 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city.
Video Released After Months of Legal Delays
The Orlando Police Department released surveillance footage from a 7-Eleven store on September 10, eight months after the fatal collision. Officials cited Florida law that classifies security camera recordings from private businesses as confidential during active investigations. Police Chief Eric Smith authorized the release only after completing the internal review, stating the decision aimed to provide community context about the incident’s circumstances.
The footage documents the January 18 crash involving Officer Andrew McKuhen and passenger Milagros Ortiz. According to internal affairs documents, McKuhen was attempting to pursue a driver who made an illegal U-turn near South Semoran Boulevard and Hoffner Avenue when the collision occurred. Investigators determined McKuhen was traveling 32 miles per hour at impact. The officer later told investigators he had no memory of the crash itself.
No Criminal Charges Filed
An internal affairs investigation concluded that McKuhen did not violate the law during the incident. The State Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges against the officer following their review. Ortiz died from blunt force trauma injuries sustained in the crash. McKuhen, Ortiz, and the driver of the vehicle involved all required hospital treatment after the collision. The department issued McKuhen an 80-hour suspension before clearing him to return to full duty on May 4.
Family Seeks Justice Through Courts
Ortiz’s family filed a $92 million wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Orlando, challenging the decision not to pursue criminal charges. The department emphasized that the delay in releasing surveillance footage resulted from legal requirements under Florida public records law, not an attempt to withhold information from the public. The case raises questions about police pursuit policies and accountability when officers involved in fatal crashes face only administrative penalties rather than criminal prosecution.