A North Texas family of seven was remembered Sunday night after a horrible accident left them all dead.
The Ellis County family was driving to Mexico for Thanksgiving when their SUV plunged off an unfinished bridge early Thursday morning.
Hundred of people filled the Iglesia Jesuscristo es mi Refugio in West Dallas for a memorial service.
"We're trying to cope with the pain that's inside that only God can take away," said Noe Rodriguez, a brother-in-law to one of the victims.
Rodriguez and his wife Mary were waiting on the family in Mexico when her niece called with the news.
"All I hear is, we've had an accident, a truck has been turned over, and there's a lot of dead people," said Mary Rodriguez.
The family's SUV plunged off the end of an unfinished bridge in the town of Ojinaga, Mexico, and it fell into the river below.
Carlos Rey Madrid, his wife Olga, their two young children Daniela and Gael, a grandmother named Margarita and two cousins named Kaylinn and David were all killed.
Olga's mother, the only survivor of the crash, tried to save the others.
"It was too late, and she was too heavy, and she was stuck with her seat belt. She also felt little hands on her feet trying to grab her," said Noe.
With no signs or warnings at the end of the bridge, the family says this was a completely preventable tragedy. They said they intend to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else.
"We're just one family, but we can make a difference," said Noe.
For now, they are taking comfort in the only thing they have left.
"Though it was a bad accident, we believe and trust in the Lord that he will turn it around for our good," said Mary Rodriguez.
A fund has been set up at Bank of America under the name Sofia Madrid Rey to help cover the cost of the funerals for the family.
The family will be buried Tuesday morning.
