Husband blames gates separating neighborhoods for wife's death

48-year-old Maritza Medina killed in collision with fleeing suspect

SOUTHWEST RANCHES, Fla. – A man said gates separating Southwest Ranches from Pembroke Pines were the reason his wife took U.S. 27, where she was killed in a crash with a man who was leading a police pursuit on Sept. 18.

Maritza Medina, 48, was killed when Antonio Feliu ran a red light at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Griffin Road, hitting her car. Earlier in the day, Feliu shot and killed two woman, including his estranged girlfriend, police say.

"The fact is, if the gates were not there, my wife would never have been in that intersection, and that's a fact," said her husband, Diego Medina (pictured). "I am completely lost. I have a hole inside of me that will never be filled."

Medina said he hadn't watched the news since the crash, admitting that he wasn't sure of all the facts surrounding the crash and police pursuit.

"I have a million questions that I can't answer," he said. "But the one fact that I know is if those gates weren't there, my wife would not have been in that intersection at that time. [It] would have never happened."

Southwest Ranches Mayor Jeff Nelson issued a statement, saying: "The death of Maritza Medina is a horrible tragedy. Antonio Feliu's actions are responsible for the death of Mrs. Medina, not the gates. Using the tragedy for personal and/or political gain is wrong."

"I don't blame anybody. I cannot blame anybody. I wish I could. I wish I could channel my anger into one point or one man, one person, one decision," said Medina. "I don't know why God did this. I have no clue. I wish I did. Maybe one day I'll figure it out."

Medina said he hopes gates will be removed, adding that his wife was opposed to them.

"She hated to go out on that highway," he said.

Medina claimed fire rescue had difficulty getting to the neighborhood to help a man, but didn't elaborate on details.

Meantime, a vigil was announced for Medina. Family and friends asked attendants to gather and wear white at 13400 Griffin Road at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.