Beloved Founder Of Tacos Delta Struck And Killed By Car
LOS ANGELES, CA — A 74-year-old woman struck and killed by a driver in Echo Park last week was Maria Esther Valdivia, the co-founder and owner of Silver Lake’s Tacos Delta, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
Valdivia was walking inside a crosswalk on the afternoon of May 22 at the intersection of Scott Avenue at Glendale Boulevard when a 1999 Mercedes-Benz E320 struck her according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
“The driver stopped to render aid to Valdivia, cooperated with the investigation, and did not display any impairment,” police said in a statement.
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There were no arrests announced in connection with the crash
Valdivia died three days later in the hospital, police said. At the time of the initial investigation, Mrs. Valdivia did not have any identification and was admitted as ‘Jane Doe.’
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According to a message posted on the restaurant’s Instagram page last week, Valdivia is survived by her husband Sergio, four children, 14 grandchildren and one great-grandson.
“She loved her family as much as anything in the world,” according to the eatery. “Tacos Delta was her life, she was a morning regular and enjoyed serving food to all. Always attentive and hospitable with a friendly smile to all who came to enjoy our food. She had a goal to make everyone feel at home and as part of the family.”
Valdivia had opened the restaurant in 1981 years before the neighborhood underwent dramatic changes.
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It’s heartbreaking to hear that she died,” Tacos Delta customer Carla Barboza told the Los Angeles Times. “They are such a lovely family. And they survived all the changes that have happened in the neighborhood.”
Valdivia’s daughter Irma Gonzalez told The Eastsider that Valdivia had just dropped off her dog at a pet groomer, and her family was preparing for a vacation to her hometown in Mexico.
Anyone with additional information was urged to call the LAPD Central Traffic Division at 213-833-3713, or the 24-hour tipline at 877-LAPD-24-7. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS, or use the website www.lacrimestoppers.org.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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