"Not giving up:" Family of woman killed when vehicle went into river determined to find out what happened

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It was one week ago that a vehicle carrying 25-year-old Jessenia Rios-Del Valle and a 19-year-old woman plunged off the 27th Street Viaduct and into the Menomonee River. Jessenia died at the hospital one day later -- last Thursday, February 19th. As her family members and friends say goodbye, they say after she's buried, they'll focus their energy on finding out why her vehicle went off the road.

The likeness between Leyshla Rios and her sister Jessenia is undeniable.

"Everybody confuses us. They think that we're twins. I'm so happy that I look in the mirror and I see her, you know?" Leyshla Rios said.

"She was a real, real good person. I love all of my kids, but she was different. She was different, you know?" Jessenia's father, George Rios said.

Their memories are what they're focused on now -- but after Jessenia is laid to rest...

"I`m going to get to the bottom of this. I`m going to find what was the reason that all these things happened," George Rios said.

One week ago, on Wednesday evening, February 18th, the car police say Jessenia was driving went off the 27th Street Viaduct and into the Menomonee River. The 19-year-old whom police say was in the passenger seat was found on the ice with no major injuries.

"Even the police say it was difficult for the firefighters to get in there to get Jessenia out. How in the world did this girl make it out of the car without a scratch in her face -- without her neck popping like my sister that broke her neck? Without a head injury. Come on. You`re falling from 70 feet," Leyshla Rios said.

Police say they have no evidence to suggest anything other than high speed caused the crash, and they are no longer investigating the incident.

"Somebody knows something," Leyshla Rios said.

The Rios family says they plan to keep searching for answers, even if that means pushing police for a second investigation.

"She's not going to be able to hold my hand and say Leyla it's okay. It's okay, you know? All that I can say is look at her and say 'Jessy, I got you, you know?' We`re going to get to the bottom of this. We`re not giving up. Don`t worry baby. We`re not giving up," Leyshla Rios said.

Jessenia's father says his daughter was born in Puerto Rico, and leaves two children behind. Rumors suggesting she was pregnant at the time of the incident last Wednesday evening are not true -- and that has been confirmed by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office. Her father says he feels strongly the initial report about drag racing is wrong. He said his daughter never liked driving at high speeds.

An account has been established at GoFundMe.com to benefit the family, and a fundraiser is being held Thursday at the West Milwaukee Culver's restaurant at 1641 Miller Parkway. 10% of sales will benefit the family.

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