Los Angeles, California — A longtime South Los Angeles street vendor is facing a long road to recovery after a car veered off the road and crashed into the family-owned tamale stand that he and his wife have operated for two decades.
The crash left 77-year-old Arnulfo Hernandez with serious injuries that will require months of rehabilitation, placing both his health and his family’s livelihood in jeopardy.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the incident happened at approximately 9:52 a.m. on June 20 near the 2800 block of Maple Avenue, where a black Nissan Sentra left the roadway and struck two pedestrians before coming to a stop.
Elderly Vendor Suffers Multiple Serious Injuries
Authorities said both pedestrians were injured in the collision, while the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Police confirmed that a traffic collision report was completed following the incident.
Hernandez had been selling tamales alongside his wife at their family business when the vehicle struck the stand.
His grandson, Osvaldo Hernandez, said the 77-year-old suffered multiple fractures, including two broken hips, along with injuries to his foot.
The injuries required several surgeries.
“He had to get a hip replacement surgery. He had fractures in his foot. He had a surgery for that as well,” Osvaldo said.
Family members say Hernandez now faces a lengthy rehabilitation process before he can regain his mobility.
Family Believes Driver Was Distracted
Osvaldo said relatives believe the driver may have been using a cellphone before the crash, although police have not confirmed what caused the collision.
According to his account, the vehicle first crossed into another lane and struck another car before continuing toward the sidewalk.
“She started swerving to the opposite lane. She hit a car, and she kept driving straight, straight into the curb, and that’s where she hit my grandpa and another man,” Osvaldo said.
The Los Angeles Police Department has not publicly identified the cause of the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Videos recorded by witnesses showed the black sedan with significant front-end damage. Another video captured a woman, identified by local media as the driver, repeatedly calling for help after the collision.
“Please, somebody help him.”
Family’s Livelihood Now Uncertain
For the Hernandez family, the crash has created more than a medical emergency.
According to relatives, Arnulfo and his wife have operated the tamale stand on the same South Los Angeles corner for 20 years, relying on the business as their family’s only source of income.
With Hernandez unable to work for the foreseeable future, the family says they are facing significant financial hardship.
“He has to learn how to walk again. That might take three or four months,” Osvaldo said.
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He also shared the emotional toll the accident has taken on the family.
“It’s sad to see him like that. But I hope he does come back fine and able to walk again, and our family could go back to just kind of having a peaceful life.”
Community Rallies Around Injured Grandfather
As Hernandez continues recovering in the hospital, his granddaughter, Yoceline Hernandez, has created a GoFundMe campaign to help the family manage mounting expenses.
The fundraiser aims to assist with medical bills, rehabilitation costs and lost income while Hernandez recovers.
“We are raising funds to help cover medical bills and rehabilitation expenses, and lost wages during his recovery,” Yoceline wrote on the fundraising page.
She also encouraged anyone unable to contribute financially to help by sharing the fundraiser with others.
As the investigation continues, Hernandez’s family remains focused on his recovery, hoping the longtime street vendor will one day return to the corner where he has served customers for two decades.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking incident? Should more protections be put in place for street vendors working near busy roads? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
