![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AYCZ76VQKNB53IZGLTFVYBSFOE.jpeg\")
Family of woman killed in crash with Orlando police cruiser to file $92 million lawsuit <\/p>\nORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 The family of 92-year-old Millie Ortiz, who was killed in a crash involving an Orlando police officer earlier this year, announced Wednesday that they are filing a $92 million lawsuit against the Orlando Police Department, the city\u2019s fleet maintenance company and the manufacturer of the emergency lights installed on police cruisers.<\/p>\n
The announcement was made during a news conference alongside civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Ortiz\u2019s family.<\/p>\n
Family members said they believe justice has not been served in the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot allow this to happen again to any family,\u201d a family member said during the news conference.<\/p>\n
The lawsuit stems from a Jan. 18 crash in which investigators say Ortiz was driving home from a bingo game around 2 a.m. when her vehicle was struck by a marked Orlando Police Department cruiser.<\/p>\n
According to investigators, Officer Andrew McKuhen was on duty when he observed a vehicle make an illegal U-turn. Officials said McKuhen activated his emergency lights just before entering the intersection, where his cruiser collided with Ortiz\u2019s vehicle.<\/p>\n
In June, the State Attorney\u2019s Office announced it would not pursue criminal charges against McKuhen.<\/p>\n
Investigators have said there is evidence the cruiser\u2019s emergency lights may have malfunctioned moments before the crash.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were saying it was the maintenance. The maintenance repair companies thought, you know, for not fixing the light. That\u2019s why the accident happened,\u201d Crump said.<\/p>\n
Crump said the lawsuit seeks to hold multiple parties accountable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will be filing a $92 million lawsuit against the Orlando Police Department, the maintenance company, and the product manufacturer, because somebody is going to be held accountable for the life of Millie Ortiz,\u201d Crump said.<\/p>\n
Crump said the family chose to seek $92 million in damages to represent one million dollars for each year of Ortiz\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
Ortiz\u2019s family described her as \u201cthe life of the party\u201d who enjoyed staying active and living life to the fullest.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was always afraid of her sometimes going out at night, but I always thought of a drunk driver that may hit her \u2014 never a police officer,\u201d said her daughter, Evelyn Alicea.<\/p>\n
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith recently discussed the case on the podcast \u2018The Patrick Carr Show\u2019 , saying the department does not oversee maintenance of its patrol vehicles.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t manage our own fleet. So the city manages the fleet for all vehicles for the city,\u201d Smith said. \u201cFleet hands out vehicles … to all city departments. So it\u2019s not something I directly control.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith also said on the podcast that the cruiser involved in the crash had been serviced for emergency light issues at least three times before the collision.<\/p>\n
The Orlando Police Department declined an interview Wednesday. A department spokesperson said the chief would not comment further on the case.<\/p>\n
Channel 9 has requested records from the city related to the maintenance and repair history of the cruiser involved in the crash and is reviewing whether any prior repairs may have played a role in the collision.<\/p>\n
Crump said Wednesday that the lawsuit will be filed in federal court, but does not have an exact date on when it will be filed.<\/p>\n
Family of woman killed in crash with Orlando police cruiser to file $92 million lawsuit <\/p>\n
Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n