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NORTH MIAMI BEACH
Crash devastates police
North Miami Beach cops are struggling to deal with a tragedy that hits close to home: a popular detective is clinging to life after a car wreck Friday night.
BY DAVID OVALLE
dovalle@herald.com
Members of the North Miami Beach police department are grieving after one of its detectives was critically injured in a car wreck in Pembroke Pines on Friday night.
Detective Orestes ''Oreo'' Lorenzo was driving home from a late night at work at 11:30 p.m. when he was hit by another car attempting to turn left onto Pines Boulevard from 180th Avenue.
He was thrown from his unmarked police car. It appears his seat belt tore during the accident, said Pines police spokesman David Golt.
Lorenzo was five blocks from home.
Pines police investigators have not determined whether to file any charges against the driver of the other car, Natasha Russo, Golt said. She was not injured.
Lorenzo, 40, an eight-year department veteran, had not regained consciousness after the accident and was in critical condition at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood as of Tuesday night.
''He's very, very popular,'' Chief Bill Berger said. ``Just a real class act.''
Lorenzo had been promoted to the agency's detective bureau less than two years ago and had just wrapped up a stint as the department's union president.
He is known for his easy-going nature -- always quick to crack a joke or do an impersonation, colleagues said.
Lorenzo worked in the airline industry before switching careers and joining the North Miami Beach force. But he came in with street instincts that made him invaluable, whether interviewing a street thug or soothing a domestic disturbance.
''He was an incredible interviewer. He had a gift of gab, he really did,'' said Sgt. Eddie Busquet. ``Anyone could talk to Oreo, and Oreo could talk to anyone.''
But, his friends around the department say, Lorenzo is most admired for his devotion to his wife and three daughters, ages 5, 12 and 14.
After work, he goes home and helps his daughters do homework. A couple of times a week, he takes them to play soccer.
He even sports three tattoos of the Pebbles cartoon character from The Flintstones on his right upper arm to signify his daughters, said Officer Juan Dolcine.
''His life revolved around his girls,'' said Dolcine, who went to the police academy with Lorenzo.
The department has set up a fund to help his family deal with medical bills and other expenses.
Over the holiday weekend, scores of officers from various police agencies visited the hospital. The mood was somber.
The crash is the latest in a string of difficult incidents for North Miami Beach police. Last fall, Dolcine -- one of Lorenzo's best friends in the department -- nearly died in a motorcycle crash. Lorenzo was instrumental in helping raise money for Dolcine as he recovered.
About two months ago, Officer Chris Starnes, was also involved in a car accident while leaving a town meeting in Eastern Shores.
''It's really affected the department tremendously,'' deputy chief Linda Loizzo said of Lorenzo's accident. ``The guys are just traumatized by it. He's very well-respected, and very well-thought of guy. The department is devastated.''
Crash devastates police
North Miami Beach cops are struggling to deal with a tragedy that hits close to home: a popular detective is clinging to life after a car wreck Friday night.
BY DAVID OVALLE
dovalle@herald.com
Members of the North Miami Beach police department are grieving after one of its detectives was critically injured in a car wreck in Pembroke Pines on Friday night.
Detective Orestes ''Oreo'' Lorenzo was driving home from a late night at work at 11:30 p.m. when he was hit by another car attempting to turn left onto Pines Boulevard from 180th Avenue.
He was thrown from his unmarked police car. It appears his seat belt tore during the accident, said Pines police spokesman David Golt.
Lorenzo was five blocks from home.
Pines police investigators have not determined whether to file any charges against the driver of the other car, Natasha Russo, Golt said. She was not injured.
Lorenzo, 40, an eight-year department veteran, had not regained consciousness after the accident and was in critical condition at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood as of Tuesday night.
''He's very, very popular,'' Chief Bill Berger said. ``Just a real class act.''
Lorenzo had been promoted to the agency's detective bureau less than two years ago and had just wrapped up a stint as the department's union president.
He is known for his easy-going nature -- always quick to crack a joke or do an impersonation, colleagues said.
Lorenzo worked in the airline industry before switching careers and joining the North Miami Beach force. But he came in with street instincts that made him invaluable, whether interviewing a street thug or soothing a domestic disturbance.
''He was an incredible interviewer. He had a gift of gab, he really did,'' said Sgt. Eddie Busquet. ``Anyone could talk to Oreo, and Oreo could talk to anyone.''
But, his friends around the department say, Lorenzo is most admired for his devotion to his wife and three daughters, ages 5, 12 and 14.
After work, he goes home and helps his daughters do homework. A couple of times a week, he takes them to play soccer.
He even sports three tattoos of the Pebbles cartoon character from The Flintstones on his right upper arm to signify his daughters, said Officer Juan Dolcine.
''His life revolved around his girls,'' said Dolcine, who went to the police academy with Lorenzo.
The department has set up a fund to help his family deal with medical bills and other expenses.
Over the holiday weekend, scores of officers from various police agencies visited the hospital. The mood was somber.
The crash is the latest in a string of difficult incidents for North Miami Beach police. Last fall, Dolcine -- one of Lorenzo's best friends in the department -- nearly died in a motorcycle crash. Lorenzo was instrumental in helping raise money for Dolcine as he recovered.
About two months ago, Officer Chris Starnes, was also involved in a car accident while leaving a town meeting in Eastern Shores.
''It's really affected the department tremendously,'' deputy chief Linda Loizzo said of Lorenzo's accident. ``The guys are just traumatized by it. He's very well-respected, and very well-thought of guy. The department is devastated.''