LOS ANGELES – A 74-year-old woman who was fatally injured by a vehicle in the Echo Park area was formally identified by the coroner’s office Tuesday as the owner of a popular Silver Lake eatery.
Maria Esther Valdivia, of Los Angeles, was walking in a crosswalk on Scott Avenue at Glendale Boulevard about 1:45 p.m. May 22 when she was hit by a 1999 Mercedes-Benz E320 that was westbound on Scott Avenue and turning onto Glendale Boulevard, 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.
Paramedics took Valdivia to a hospital, where she died three days later, police said.
Valdivia was the co-founder and owner of the Silver Lake restaurant Tacos Delta.
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.”
Her 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.
