Ocoee cop disciplined for 90-mph collision

Ocoee police Officer Chris Bonner will be suspended without pay after joining a car chase pursuing armed robbery suspects that ultimately ended in a 90-mph car crash.

The crash occurred May 12, 2016, at the intersection of Holden Avenue and Orange Blossom Trail. Officer Bonner was traveling northbound on Orange Blossom Trail when he failed to stop at a red light, crashing into a vehicle headed eastbound on Holden Avenue. 

The driver of the vehicle, Yahaira Castro Montalvo, had the green light. According to a video released by the Florida Highway Patrol, Montalvo's car spun around at least five times after Bonner's vehicle slammed into hers. Bonner's vehicle flipped over numerous times.

The Ocoee Police Department's internal investigation of the incident concluded that Bonner was at fault. He will receive 80 hours of suspension without pay and 40 hours of remedial training and be stripped of take-home car privileges for one year.

"Since the crash we have conducted additional departmentwide training on the pursuit policy and have had the sworn members of the department complete practical driving exercises," the department concluded in a press release. "After the new year, the members of the Ocoee Police Department administration will attend training on best practices for vehicle operation policy creation and implementation."

The vehicle in pursuit carrying armed robbery suspects was never caught.

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Contact Gabby Baquero at [email protected]