The family of the man who died when his vehicle was swept into the Rodeo Wash yesterday is speaking out.

It is the second time in less than a year that wash has taken a life.

Fox 11 News visited the site where Adalberto Padilla’s SUV ended up after some three feet of water pushed him down the Rodeo Wash.

There are signs posted that say do not drive down First Avenue when the water floods.

Tonight the city is telling Fox 11 News that posting that sign is all they can do.

“As the time progresses I’m sure it’s gonna hit me eventually,” Peter Flores, the victim’s stepson, admits.

Flores says he has almost come to terms with his stepfather’s death. He said, “To find out exactly how he died is even more shocking.”

Padilla died in the Rodeo Wash yesterday. His car was pushed down the wash at First Avenue and Irvington Road. When firefighters got to him, he was dead. Flores admits he has driven through washes for one reason or another. Now he says he wishes his stepfather would not have tried it.

“We had an extreme event," Michael Graham, from the City of Tucson Department of Transportation, explains.

Padilla is the second person to die in the Rodeo Wash in less than a year. Flores and his family want the city to do something to keep it from happening.

“It would be nice if we had the funding available to bridge every dip crossing in the city but we don’t,” Graham admits. He says the city warns people enough. “We place barricades up and have signs that say don’t enter when flooded.”

Hundreds of drainage ways feed into the Rodeo Wash, which is why firefighters reported seeing at least three feet of water when they found Padilla. If cars go down the Alamo Wash they would only get so far.

Graham says that is, “Because in most cases these metal posts would stop it.” He says the metal posts are there to prevent other problems as well. “There’s no reason to enter a flooded wash and risk your life.”

Courtesy: Flores family

Tucson City Councilman Steve Leal told Fox 11 News tonight he tried to get Irvington widened and drainage improved in this area as part of the regional transportation plan approved by voters last year but it did not make the final proposal.

Leal says he plans to talk to the city manager about it again.