Mother calls for change after second person falls through gap between two Kansas City, Kansas, roads
By Abigail Klinkerman
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OLATHE, Kansas (KMBC) — When Esmeralda Madrigal heard about what happened to 24-year-old Monica Rivera, who fell from a bridge in Kansas City, Kansas, her heart sank to her stomach.
Rivera, a young mother of two, was found dead on Oct. 23 under the Seventh Street Trafficway Bridge in Kansas City, Kansas, after police say she fell in the gap between the two median walls.
Madrigal’s son, 34-year-old Johnny Brown, died the same way just after New Year’s back in 2023.
“When I found out that she died, all that memory, all that came back to me,” Madrigal said. “All the memories, all the grief. Just like I’m just reliving my son’s death.”
Their stories are nearly identical.
Both Brown and Rivera fell nearly 40 feet through the gap between the bridge walls, which is just over 2 feet wide and has no structure covering the space beneath it.
“I’m afraid it’s going to happen again if they’re not going to do anything about it,” Madrigal said. “Two lives have been lost already, so I want them to get it fixed where we don’t have to worry about anybody else.”
The bridge is owned by the Kansas Department of Transportation. Madrigal hopes they can add a sign, lights or anything that will raise awareness about the dangers surrounding the area.
KMBC reached out to KDOT about plans for additional safety measures. Here’s what the agency said:
“The northbound vehicular bridge structure design features a protected pedestrian facility, or sidewalk, which includes barrier and fence. KDOT is reviewing the bridge structure and will determine whether modifications or additional safety features are warranted.”
Madrigal wears a necklace every day with Brown’s face, surrounded by angel wings, to remember her son. He leaves behind four children.
“He called me on New Year’s when it turned New Year’s. And he said, ‘Happy New Year’s, Mom, I love you.’ And I said, ‘I love you, too,'” Madrigal said.
That was the last time Madrigal heard from him. After learning of his death, she visited the bridge to see it for herself.
“And you could still see the blood stains from his head under there. I looked up and started crying because I knew he fell. And he fell that 40 feet. And I just started crying,” Madrigal said.
Madrigal believes that if something had been added after her son’s death, Rivera would still be alive.
“Two lives were taken and the families were lost. Her family’s lost. I’m lost. I know what they’re going through because I’m still going through it. And now there’s another one in three years. You know, something has to be done,” Madrigal said.
Her living room is full of photos and memorabilia, and a sign reading “YOLO.” Madrigal said it was Brown’s favorite phrase.
“He said, ‘YOLO, Mom,’ and so one day I just ask him — ‘What are you saying, Johnny?’ He said, ‘YOLO, you only live once,'” Madrigal said. “Johnny was just the most positive person.”
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