ARIZONA NEWS

Ducey requests federal funding for Tonto bridge after deaths of 3 children

Jan 8, 2020, 11:32 AM | Updated: 1:07 pm

Clockwise from right: Willa, Colby and Austin Rawlings. (GoFundMe Photos/David Jensen)...

Clockwise from right: Willa, Colby and Austin Rawlings. (GoFundMe Photos/David Jensen)

(GoFundMe Photos/David Jensen)

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is urging the U.S. Department of Transportation to prioritize funding for a bridge over Tonto Creek in Gila County.

“Residents need a bridge over Tonto Creek for basic safety and quality of life needs,” Ducey said in a letter Wednesday to Secretary Elaine Chao.

“Since 1995 eight people have died while attempting to cross in their vehicles during high-water times; three children lost their lives while crossing in a vehicle the day after Thanksgiving less than two months ago.”

The governor was referring to Willa, Colby and Austin Rawlings, who died after the truck they and six other family members were in became stuck Nov. 29 while trying to cross the creek.

The letter stated the county has applied repeatedly for federal funds to pay for a bridge where the truck was swept away, but it was denied multiple times, most recently weeks before the children’s deaths.

Ducey argued in his letter that the bridge project makes a good candidate for the federal government’s BUILD Grant program, which was allotted $1 billion for fiscal year 2020.

“The Arizona Department of Transportation stands ready to provide technical review and assistance to Gila County through its BUILD Grant application,” he said.

“I look forward to offering my continued support.”

Ducey said about 1,500 people are cut off from schools, health care and other services when the creek floods during heavy rains.

When the Rawlings family became stuck, four children and two adults were able to get out of the truck and be rescued by helicopter. Three children stayed in the truck and it was later swept away.

Rescuers searched for 6-year-old Willa Rawlings for nearly two weeks before her body was found in Roosevelt Lake. The bodies of her brother Colby, 5, and cousin Austin, 5, had been found the day after the incident.

A man was found dead eight days later after he tried to cross the creek in a sedan 20 miles north of where the family became stuck.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Ducey requests federal funding for Tonto bridge after deaths of 3 children