Cuban demands justice after shocking fatal hit-and-run of his wife in Hialeah

A Cuban resident in South Florida is demanding justice following the tragic death of his wife, who was struck by a vehicle on Monday at an intersection in Hialeah while crossing the street on her way to a pharmacy.

Delia Annet Delgado, 61 years old, was struck by a truck that was turning right, and whose driver, according to authorities, will not face charges.

The victim was the wife of Gregorio Delgado, with whom she shared nearly four decades of life.

The incident occurred at East 4th Avenue and 49th Street, an area known for its traffic hazards.

Surveillance camera footage shows Delia pressing the pedestrian crossing button and waiting for the signal to cross the street.

However, the crosswalk was blocked by the truck that would ultimately run her over, forcing her to veer in front of the vehicle, putting herself directly in its path.

When the traffic light turned green, the driver moved forward, hitting her. After a brief pause, he moved the vehicle again and ran her over once more.

The firefighters and rescuers were only able to confirm his death at the scene.

"That to me is murder."

That Monday morning, Gregorio asked her to accompany him to clean an air conditioner. Delia preferred to run an errand instead. It was the last time they spoke.

Gregorio Delgado received the devastating call while he was at work.

“My heart was racing so fast that I thought it might burst from my chest. I began to tremble; I almost fainted,” he recounted in an emotional statement to the local press.

The Hialeah Public Safety Department classified the incident 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 from the family.

“To me, that is murder”, Delgado stated, visibly affected.

"Apparently, he was in such a hurry to turn; my wife was waving her arms like this so he could see her, that he didn't even bother to look. He ran over my wife, and his tire, and everything fell on her face and body," reported the man, who believes that the official explanation is unacceptable.

Gregorio and Delia had been together for almost forty years. They met in the 80s at a dance club in Miami, and since then they have never been apart.

“ We did everything together. We were inseparable. She was everything,” he said tearfully to CBS News.

An intersection marked by danger

Neighbors in the area are not surprised by the tragedy.

They classify the intersection as "highly dangerous" and assert that there have been at least 10 accidents at that same location so far this year.

The signage is inadequate, the vehicle flow is constant, and, as in this case, vehicles often encroach on the pedestrian crossings.

Although Florida law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians at marked crosswalks, in practice, this rule is often ignored.

Delia's family insists that this negligence was decisive in the fatal outcome.

While organizing his wife's funeral, Gregorio Delgado explores legal alternatives to seek accountability. Although the case currently does not involve criminal charges, it could lead to a civil liability lawsuit.

"My wife did everything right. She pressed the button. She waited. She didn't rush into the street. But the truck was over the crosswalk, and still, it moved forward. How can that go unpunished?" he questions.

Its demand goes beyond the individual case. It calls for a change in the system to prevent new tragedies and properly protect pedestrians.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hit-and-Runs and Justice in Hialeah