Tacos Villa, a family-run birria taco truck, was completely destroyed on August 6 when a pickup truck rear-ended it while it was parked in South Los Angeles. Jose Silva, his mother, and his stepfather, who operate the business, were inside the truck preparing to close for the day and sustained injuries in the collision.
According to Silva, the impact pushed the taco truck approximately 40 feet and threw his mother from the vehicle. She reportedly landed several feet away from the truck. Silva told KTLA that he is still recovering from cuts and bruises he suffered in the accident. "Today, more than ever, I thank God for protecting them and for giving us the opportunity to remain together," he stated on the business's Instagram account.
The family alleges that the pickup truck was speeding before the collision and may have been involved in a street race. The Los Angeles Police Department has not yet commented on these allegations, and the investigation is ongoing. Both parties involved in the incident exchanged information.
All three family members are recovering at home, but the accident has left them with substantial medical expenses and has destroyed their primary source of income. The Tacos Villa truck had been serving the local community for about three years and is now unusable.
To cope with the financial strain of repairing their business and covering medical bills, the family has launched a GoFundMe campaign. A statement on the fundraising page describes Tacos Villa as "more than just a taco truck—it is a family’s livelihood and a small business built through hard work, dedication, and the support of their community."
Other local businesses have offered support, with Mad Cow Jerky posting on social media, "Can you guys please help with any amount. They have lost everything and are hurting."
It is unclear if the Silva family intends to pursue legal action against the driver of the other vehicle.