Columbus police detective indicted for leaving the scene of crash that left woman dead

Posted on 5/1/2023

Defendant: Demetris Ortega

Columbus police detective indicted for
leaving the scene of crash that left woman dead
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced that the Franklin County grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Detective Demetris Ortega, 49, of the Columbus Division of Police, with a felony charge of failure to stop after an accident and a misdemeanor charge of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them.
On April 20, 2022, Detective Ortega was driving in the area of Morse Road and Walford Street when he struck and killed Naimo Abdirahman, 30.
Detective Ortega failed to stop after the crash and left the scene. Through investigation, it was determined that Detective Ortega had been drinking and was under the influence of alcohol at the time the crash occurred.
The grand jury heard testimony that due to the lack of witnesses or video as well as physical evidence from the scene, detectives were not able to conclusively identify Ms. Abdirahman’s location at the time of the crash. Detectives also were unable to determine to any degree of certainty that Detective Ortega was at fault in causing the crash, which is an essential element of a charge of aggravated vehicular homicide or vehicular homicide. A grand jury only inquires whether a crime has been committed.