Tragedy Strikes: Food Truck Destroyed in Devastating Hit-and-Run Incident

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a family-owned food truck in Southeast Austin was the victim of a devastating hit-and-run incident, leaving their livelihood in ashes. The Austin Police Department is now on the hunt for the elusive driver responsible for this tragic chain of events that has shattered the dreams of a hardworking family.

A Shocking Sequence of Events Leaves a Family Reeling

The Theft that Sparked a Tragic Chain Reaction

The bizarre chain of events began on Tuesday evening, October 22nd, when the Austin Police Department received a call about a reported theft in a parking lot on Elmont Drive and South Pleasant Valley Road. A woman had claimed that someone had stolen her phone, prompting the police to respond to the scene. However, their efforts to track down the stolen device proved fruitless, and they were forced to leave the area.

A Violent Rampage and a Fiery Crash

Approximately 10 minutes later, the same woman allegedly got into her vehicle and proceeded to hit four pedestrians. Two of the victims were rushed to the hospital, with one sustaining serious injuries, though all are expected to survive. The driver, however, did not stop there. She continued her rampage, crashing directly into the Sabor a Honduras food truck, causing it to catch fire and destroying the family's livelihood in a matter of minutes.

A Harrowing Escape and a Desperate Attempt to Save the Truck

The impact of the crash knocked the food truck off its blocks, causing a refrigerator to topple over and strike Leticia Lopez in the arm. Her sister, Jenny Carolina Lopez Hernandez, witnessed the chaos unfold and rushed outside, only to be confronted by the driver wielding a knife. Fearing for her safety, Jenny retreated back inside, locking the door and the window.As the sisters watched in horror, they noticed the fryer had caught fire. Rushing back outside, they found that the suspect had already fled the scene. Frantically, they called 911 as the flames began to spread, consuming the food truck they had poured their hearts and souls into for the past 17 years.

The Aftermath: Assessing the Damage and Facing an Uncertain Future

While the exterior damage to the food truck was relatively minor, the interior told a different story. The stove, grill, and refrigerator were all charred by the flames and soot, leaving the family's livelihood in ruins. With their source of income and sustenance destroyed, the Lopez-Hernandez family now faces the daunting task of finding a new trailer and rebuilding their business from the ashes."We have kids that we have to take care of, and the situation is very hard. There's not a lot of work out there and any help we'll receive with open arms so we can pick ourselves up again," Jenny Carolina Lopez Hernandez told FOX 7 in Spanish, her voice laced with the weight of the family's struggle.

The Search for the Elusive Hit-and-Run Driver

As the Austin Police Department continues their investigation, they have released a description of the suspect. She is described as a Hispanic woman, approximately 5'5" tall and weighing 180 pounds, driving a gray or tan Toyota SUV. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist in their efforts to bring the perpetrator to justice.The Lopez-Hernandez family's dreams have been shattered, but their resilience and determination to rebuild their lives and their business remain unbroken. In the face of this devastating tragedy, the community must rally together to support this hardworking family and ensure that they can rise from the ashes, reclaiming their rightful place in the vibrant food truck scene of Austin.