The fiance of a Jacksonville woman killed in a fiery crash says he can’t get inside their apartment to get important items for their children.
Felicia Nicole Matos, 30, was killed in a crash on U.S. 90 on March 23.
She and her fiance, Terry Johnson, share two young children, a 4-year-old and a 9-month-old.
Johnson said he went to their apartment at Pier5350 on the Arlington Expressway after the crash and was told he couldn’t get inside because his name wasn’t on the lease.
“My son has a heart condition right now. Thank God he’s doing better, but his medication is in the house,” Johnson said. “Documentation like birth certificates, their clothes. You know, things I need for them.”
He said he and Matos’ father went to the complex several times with Matos’ death certificate, but still weren’t allowed inside the apartment.
“It’s devastating. I don’t have the words. I’m upset. I’m angry,” Greg Matos said. “This is my daughter, her belongings and I’m not allowed to get her things out.”
Action News Jax went to the apartment complex to ask management how the family can get the items they need from the apartment.
An employee told us to call the corporate office, which we did, but no one returned our call.
Action News Jax Law and Safety Expert Dale Carson said it could be months before Johnson or Matos are allowed in the apartment.
“The individual who owns the property now would be at risk of litigation if, in fact, they allowed someone to go in there and simply take the property,” Carson said.
He said the family will have to either hire an attorney or open an estate.
“Only the executor of the estate will be permitted to disperse whatever personal property is there,” Carson said.
Johnson said he plans to contact the corporate office after getting the runaround by complex management.
“Very hurt. I feel like there’s no compassion,” he said. “They have no sympathy for the situation.”
He told Action News Jax that he was able to get more medicine for his son but he’s still working to get the rest of his family's belongings.
Cox Media Group
