Mother of 2 dies after falling through 30-inch gap in bridge median

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KSHB) — A Kansas mother of two died after falling 40 feet from a raised trafficway bridge.

Police said surveillance video shows Monica Rivera, 24, walking across the lanes of traffic early in the morning Oct. 23 after exiting a car.

Police: No foul play involved

Rivera was seemingly unaware of a 30-inch gap in the median that allowed her to fall. Police said no foul play was involved.

Family asks for privacy

Rivera’s family said she leaves behind two young daughters, ages 3 and 5.

“It’s tough for us to see all this evil stuff on social media of things that everybody says happened, and the mom knows the truth,” Jacqueline Gallo, the grandmother of Rivera’s two daughters, said.

“Let us grieve now in private. Let us protect these girls. Just give us our time now. That’s all we ask,” Gallo said.

Transportation department response

The Kansas Department of Transportation said there are no plans to cover or otherwise modify the gap in the roadway.