ORLANDO, Fla. — Newly obtained maintenance records show the Orlando Police Department cruiser involved in a January crash that killed a 92-year-old woman had undergone previous repairs related to its emergency light system.
Earlier this year, 92-year-old Millie Ortiz was being driven home from a bingo game when an Orlando police officer drove through a red light and crashed into her vehicle.
Video from the crash shows the moments before impact, including a portion that raised questions about why the officer entered the intersection. The footage shows the cruiser’s emergency lights activated as it approached the red light, then turning off just before the collision.
According to investigators, the officer was attempting to conduct a traffic stop for an illegal U-turn when he drove through the intersection. OPD later released surveillance video showing the illegal U-turn at the intersection.
Investigators said the officer claimed the emergency lights malfunctioned before impact.
Channel 9 requested maintenance records for the cruiser after OPD said there had been previous issues with the vehicle’s emergency lights.
Related-->Family of woman killed in crash with Orlando police cruiser to file $92 million lawsuit
Records provided by the city show the 2019 patrol vehicle was brought in for repairs involving its emergency lights in 2020. The vehicle was repaired and returned to service.
In 2023, additional repairs were performed after an officer reported that only part of the emergency lighting system was functioning.
Then, in September 2025, just months before the crash, the cruiser was taken to fleet maintenance after an officer reported issues with the siren switch box, which controls the emergency light system.
According to the maintenance notes, technicians found no problems with the switch box and made no repairs.
The Ortiz family has filed a $92 million lawsuit naming the Orlando Police Department, the city’s fleet maintenance company, the manufacturer of the emergency lights, and more.
The officer involved in the crash was cleared of criminal charges. An internal Orlando Police Department investigation also cleared the officer of wrongdoing.
The lawsuit remains ongoing.
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