A Hemet family’s livelihood was destroyed when their beloved taco trailer and family vehicle were totaled in a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 15 near Nichols Road in the City of Lake Elsinore.
The crash, which occurred around 4:10 p.m. on Sunday, was caused by a reckless and allegedly intoxicated, driver who, according to witnesses, had been doing donuts off the side of the freeway before losing control and darting into traffic.
The impact sent nine victims to the hospital, including Luis Mejia and his wife, the owners of the Tacos La Herradura food truck, and their two daughters.
Mejia and his 13-year-old daughter were transported to one hospital, while his wife and 11-year-old daughter were taken to another. Both children were later transferred to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego for further treatment.
Mejia and his oldest daughter remain hospitalized—he is recovering from bruised kidneys, a broken sternum, and internal bleeding, while his daughter is recovering from a broken sternum.
The accident occurred as the family was returning home from an event in Chino, where they spent Saturday and Sunday serving customers from their taco trailer. The force of the collision detached their trailer and propelled their vehicle into the concrete center divider, where it came to rest on top of it.
In addition to their injuries, the crash destroyed both their taco trailer and family vehicle, leaving their small taco business—which has served the local communities for the past two years—completely inoperable.
To help the family recover and rebuild their business, a relative has organized a GoFundMe fundraiser. The family, well-known in Hemet and surrounding areas for their hard work and flavorful tacos, is now facing medical bills and the loss of income.
Anyone wishing to assist the family can do so by contributing to their GoFundMe fundraiser here.
