Vigil held for 5-year-old girl swept away by flood waters

SAN ANTONIO - Loved ones gathered for a candlelight vigil in honor of Alyssa Layman Thursday.

She was the five-year-old girl who died last week after being swept away in high water in East Bexar County.

RELATED: Family members looking for answers after deadly flooding

Family, friends, teachers, and first responders walked a candlelit path in honor of Alyssa.

The 5-year-old was killed by rushing waters as she was on her way to school.

The car Alyssa was in was swept away near Graytown road in East Bexar County.

Her loss impacted her loved ones and the entire Saint Hedwig community.

"What she had given us within those five years. It was just precious moments that we would never. We can never forget,” said Jessica Ramirez, her aunt.

The family says they are thankful for the entire community’s support and first responders for their help.

Meanwhile, county officials are working to prevent flooding and avoid future deaths like 5-year-old Alyssa Layman and 52-year-old Ester Rodriguez.

Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert says he has already received complaints from longtime residents about how the floodplain has changed because of massive development of new homes in the area.

RELATED: Officials look to improve flooding issues after two swept away and killed

“There has to be a more collaborative effort between Bexar County Public Works and the various cities that are out there from Schertz to Saint Hedwig when there is development and it changes the watershed to increase retention and detention," said Calvert.

Calvert is looking to add more regulations for developers to create more water retention to slow the rise of floods on county roads.

The county is also looking at the possibility of adding more automatic barriers at these crossings.