A Cuban man living in South Florida is fervently seeking justice following the tragic death of his wife, who was fatally struck in a Hialeah intersection on Monday while she was on her way to a pharmacy. Delia Annet Delgado, aged 61, was hit by a turning truck, whose driver, according to authorities, will not face any charges. The victim was the spouse of Gregorio Delgado, with whom she shared nearly four decades of her life.
The incident occurred at the intersection of East 4th Avenue and 49th Street, a location notorious for its hazardous traffic conditions. Surveillance footage captured Delia pressing the pedestrian crossing button and waiting for the signal to cross. The crosswalk was, however, blocked by the truck that ultimately struck her, forcing her to walk in front of the vehicle, directly in its path. As the light turned green, the driver moved forward, hitting her, and after a brief stop, ran her over a second time. Paramedics and firefighters could only confirm her death at the scene.
“To me, that's murder,”
That Monday morning, Gregorio had asked her to accompany him to clean an air conditioner. Delia chose to run an errand instead. It was their final conversation. Gregorio Delgado received the heartbreaking call while at work.
“My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to leap out of my chest. I started trembling; I nearly fainted,” he recounted in emotional remarks to local media.
The Hialeah Public Safety Department described the event as “an unfortunate accident” and stated that the driver did not act with criminal intent. The authorities' decision not to file charges has sparked outrage among the family.
“To me, that's murder,” Delgado declared, visibly distraught. “Apparently, he was in such a hurry to turn; my wife was waving her arms for him to see her, but he didn’t even bother to look. He ran over my wife, and his tire and everything fell on her face and body,” he lamented, finding the official explanation unacceptable.
Gregorio and Delia had been together for nearly forty years. They met in the 1980s at a dance club in Miami and were inseparable ever since. “We did everything together. She was my everything,” he tearfully told CBS News.
A Hazardous Intersection
The local community is not surprised by the tragedy. They describe the intersection as “extremely dangerous” and note that at least ten accidents have occurred at the same location this year alone. Signage is inadequate, traffic flow is relentless, and vehicles frequently encroach on pedestrian crossings. Although Florida law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians at marked crosswalks, this rule is often ignored in practice.
Delia's family insists that this negligence was a key factor in the tragic outcome. As he arranges his wife's funeral, Gregorio Delgado is exploring legal avenues to demand accountability. While criminal charges are not currently part of the case, a civil liability lawsuit may be pursued.
“My wife did everything right. She pressed the button. She waited. She didn’t dash into the street. But the truck was in the crosswalk, and it still moved. How can that go unpunished?” he questions. His demand extends beyond this individual case. He calls for systemic change to prevent future tragedies and to ensure pedestrian safety is duly protected.
Justice and Safety Concerns in Hialeah
Why is the intersection in Hialeah considered dangerous?
The intersection is known for its poor signage, constant traffic flow, and frequent vehicle encroachment on pedestrian crosswalks, contributing to its reputation as a hazardous area.
What legal actions might Gregorio Delgado pursue?
While criminal charges are not currently expected, Gregorio Delgado is considering a civil liability lawsuit to demand accountability and justice for his wife's death.
How did the authorities describe the incident?
The Hialeah Public Safety Department labeled the incident as “an unfortunate accident” and stated that there was no criminal intent by the driver involved.