Woman struck by vehicle on West Loop, falls to death

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A mother-of-three fell 40 feet to her death after being struck by a car on the 610 West Loop.

The accident happened around 11pm Tuesday night. Wendy Rivera, 29, was driving a Hyundai SUV and was southbound on I-610 over Richmond when her vehicle broke down. Her grandmother told Eyewitness News she was on her way home from a friend's house.

"I kept trying to call her, quite a few times. She didn't answer the phone and when you go to bed, you usually think no news is good news but not in all cases," said Catherine Rivera.

Houston police say Rivera was stopped in a moving lane of traffic, got out of the vehicle and was looking under the hood when a Lexus hit her SUV. The impact knocked Rivera over the overpass, where she died below. Police say the driver of the Lexus was not impaired. He just couldn't react in time.

"Appears to be just a tragic accident," HPD Sgt. Ignacio Izaguirre said.

"No, No. We definitely don't blame the driver," said Angelina Palomo, Rivera's mother.

She and her family will now pitch in to raise Rivera's children ages, 12, 8 and 4. Her 8-year-old son wanted to tell Eyewitness News about his mother.

"She was loving. She was kind. She was responsible and sweet," described Andrew Rivera.

Traffic officers recommend staying inside a disabled vehicle if it's not safe to get out, but if it is, Rivera's grandmother has the advice police give.

"Get out of harm's way. Don't stand in front of the car. Go to the rail. Go to the side," added Catherine Rivera.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has a stranded motorist hotline for people with a legitimate need for assistance. The number is 1-800-525-5555.