TONTO BASIN, Ariz. — It's been four years since three children were washed away by flood waters in Tonto Basin, and there is still no bridge over Tonto Creek.
Prone to flooding any time of year; water fills Tonto Creek often. With no safe way around it, people must wait.
Construction on the bridge finally broke ground in October of 2022, but there are still people crossing the water, even when the road is flooded.
George Ewing has lived in Tonto Basin long enough to know not to underestimate the power of raging floodwaters.
“You could go get stuck in it right now, and that’s all your gonna do, get stuck. You’re not washing away," said Ewing.
George used to drive a military truck to ferry kids across the creek to school, but he can’t; not anymore. “Since the kids drowned, I just kinda pulled back a little bit.”
On Thanksgiving of 2019, Daniel and Lacey Rawlings decided to cross the flooded road with a group of kids in the truck. They had driven around the barricades and got stuck in the water. Their children, Willa – Colby and Austin Rawlings, were swept away.
The couple was charged with child abuse and manslaughter. They took plea deals and were sentenced to probation.
That was the catalyst for a push to build a bridge over Tonto Creek. Four years later, people are still crossing the flooded road, impatient for a bridge to be built.
“Very slowly. It’s; still, I think, halfway into next year before that’s expected to be completed," said Randy Roberson, who lives in Tonto Basin,
“There have been around 20 people that have died down there, so this has been a problem for generations, said George.
“It’s a good thing. It’s gonna save some more lives and get people back and forth.”
But for now, there is only one road, and when it rains it’s still dangerous.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.