Miami Beach Cops Fired After ATV Crash

Two Miami Beach Police officers were officially fired Friday in the wake of an ATV accident that sent two bystanders to the hospital last weekend, officials said.

Officers Derick Kuilan and Rolando Gutierrez were terminated by the department following a pre-determination hearing, Police Chief Carlos Noriega said in a written statement. The firings are effective immediately.

"I will not tolerate misconduct from any member of this department that in any way, shape or form betrays the public’s trust," Noriega said in the statement.

Police say Kuilan was on duty when he was driving his ATV with an unauthorized passenger, Adelee Sharie Martin, on July 3. At around 5 a.m., the two allegedly crashed the speeding ATV into two other people who were on the beach, police said.

Kitzie Nicanor, 28, from Seattle, Wash., and Luis Almonte, 29, from North Miami, were also injured, police said. Family members said Nicanor was still unconscious Thursday and had a fractured femur and puncture wound to her heart.

Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower said Kuilan had met a woman at the Clevelander Hotel, and officials said Gutierrez, who was not involved in the ATV crash, had also been at the hotel.

Bower spoke during a Friday news conference, which was also attended by Noriega and City Manager Jorge Gonzalez.

"They were terminated. It's already signed by the city manager. So, we feel deeply concerned about the incident. I feel very bad about all the families, not only the victims that are suffering but also the families of the officers," Bower said.

Noriega said the officers seemed distraught during the hearing.

"To say I was extremely upset is an understatement. We had to take swift action," Noriega said of the incident."

Chief would not talk about what was said at the meeting. He did say the officers were advised by their lawyers not to talk.