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Crash Victim's Family Speaks Out About Southwest Ranches Gate Debate

PEMBROKE PINES (CBSMiami) - Maritza Medina lost her life when a man, who was fleeing from police, crashed into her car. Now Medina's family, friends and some neighbors have focused their anger on the gates that separate her home in Southwest Ranches from Pembroke Pines—which forced Medina to take the route where she lost her life.

Maritza Medina, 48, was killed on September 18 when Antonio Feliu, who was fleeing from police after killing a woman and her daughter, slammed into her car on US 27.

Medina's husband, Diego Medina, along with his daughter spoke out Wednesday--a week after Medina's sudden death.

Diego Medina, along with some other residents, believe that the gates ,that were put up a year ago by the town of Southwest Ranches to restrict traffic in their neighborhood, are to blame for the accident.

Maritza-Medina-Facebook-Pho
Martiza Medina died in a crash with a chase suspect Wednesday September 18, 2013. (Source: https://www.facebook.com/maritza.m.medina.7?fref=ts)

"If the gates weren't there my wife wouldn't have been in that corner…in that moment," said Diego.

Diego and other residents on the Pembroke Pines side of the gates want something done as they say Maritza isn't the first person to die because of being forced to drive on US 27 to get home.

But Diego Medina said he is too focused on healing and his family after burying his wife to think about a lawsuit.

"I am completely lost. I have a hole inside of me that will never be filled," he said.

CBS4's Carey Codd spoke to the town administrator from Southwest Ranches who said he did not want to discuss the gate issue. He did, though, send his condolences to the Medina family.

A vigil honoring Maritza Medina is set for Thursday evening.

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