Skip to Content
Tacos

A Taquero is Raising Money for the Family of Two Brothers Killed in a Highland Park Hit-and-Run

[dropcap size=big]A[/dropcap] taquero in Highland Park is stepping up to raise money for a pair of brothers who were killed this past Sunday in a hit-and-run car crash.

Brothers Benny Felix-Zuniga and Jesse Felix-Zuniga were headed west on Pollard Street past San Pascual Avenue in Highland Park at around 1 am Sunday morning. The brothers were in a Ford Fusion that was hit by a Chevy Silverado, according to the LAPD. Police are still looking for two people who fled the scene after the crash. The victims were identified later by family members.

Villa's Tacos, a taco pop-up that serves “Los Angeles-Style” wood-grilled meats over blue-corn tortillas, is holding a fundraiser Wednesday, May 8, with all proceeds going to the grieving family, owner Victor Villa told L.A. Taco. 

I’m a member of the community,” Villa said. “I felt this was the least we could do.”

All photos via VIlla Tacos.
All photos via VIlla Tacos.

The sudden death of the two brothers is being felt in the HLP community, according to Villa. Vigils for the two brothers were held on Sunday and Monday night. A GoFundMe was also started to help the family. It has raised over $35,000 in just two days.

Villa's Tacos will be doing its part by donating the proceeds from selling their blue corn tortillas tacos Wednesday at York and Avenue 51. Villa said he hopes the “fundraiser will bring everyone together, and in light of such a hard time, will bring happiness.”

Villa also said he resonated with the fact that he too is a CSUN alum like Benny Felix-Zuniga. “I didn’t know the guys personally but I can only imagine the pain the family is going through right now,” Villa explained. “It must be so hard for them right now.

RELATED: This Taquero Drove His Taco Truck to an Evacuation Site to Feed People Displaced by the Camp Fire

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

What To Eat In L.A. This Weekend: Parisian Hot Dogs, Steak-Stuffed Eggrolls, and a New Nicaraguan Fritanga

Plus a beautiful shawarma sandwich in Sherman Oaks and a weekend-long celebration of a Chicano brewery in La Puente.

July 26, 2024

Street Vendors Successfully Sue City to Remove Illegal ‘No Vending’ Signs And Won

L.A. will also have to reimburse the street vendors for their past fines relating to this controversial sign. However, this does not include any other fines related to equipment restrictions or lack of permits. This also means that while a vendor can’t be cited for vending in areas like the Hollywood Walk of Fame anymore, they can still get cited for other city regulations. 

July 25, 2024

Empathy Through Tacos: Meet the Skid Row Taqueros Giving Away Free Food Every Friday to Downtown’s Homeless Community 

One of the taqueros who organizes the weekly pop-ups used to be homeless himself and broke out of poverty by selling breakfast burritos in front of a courthouse in Van Nuys. Now, he is sober and pays it forward every week. The group uses TikTok to raise funds and donate up to 1,500 tacos and more a week.

July 24, 2024

Open Thread: What’s The Best Live Show You’ve Ever Seen In L.A.?

Was your life changed by a Circle Jerks show at Blackie's? Chaka Khan dropping in on Snoop and Too Short at the Palladium? Dudamel with a special guest at Disney Hall? Chime in!

See all posts