Santa Ana man lost his leg in an accident and can no longer deliver newspapers to support his family

Jose Maldonado Tlatenchi, a 58-year-old Santa Ana newspaper carrier, is in dire need of assistance after a terrible accident that cost him the use of one of his legs, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his daughter, Vanessa Tlatenchi.

On the 29th of September, 2024, a pickup truck in the alley of our apartment complex backed up into Jose’s truck while he was sitting on the bed of his truck resting after unloading some items in the garage and crushed his leg.

The other driver pinned Jose against the truck for at least guy took around 15 seconds before finally realizing that he hit him. Jose’s left leg was in between both bumpers. Police officers and paramedics arrived, and Jose was taken to the hospital.

Surgeons tried to operate to open up some arteries that were blocked due to the impact, but there was nothing they could do to save his left leg. He had to get his leg amputated, or the blood clots could have traveled all the way up to his heart.

Jose is currently 58 and he will no longer be able to work another day of his life or perform any of his reselling activities, nor will be be able to pick up his grandkids from school or go watch them and train them play soccer.

Vanessa is his only daughter and the only person Jose can rely on since his wife passed away four years ago from COVID-19.

Unfortunately, Jose was born in Mexico, not the U.S., and he does not qualify for many benefits or is eligible to receive Social Security.

Vanessa is asking for a little help to keep him comfortable and to cover his medical expenses plus rehab and a prosthetic leg later on.

Jose currently live with Vanessa, her kids, and her husband in a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Ana. He has never stopped helping with the kids and with the bills. They are not wealthy people, but they work hard to make sure their kids have everything they need.

Jose has been working delivering newspapers for the last 25 years with no days off, working 7 days a week every night. He also resells a lot of items, including furniture and other items, that he finds free in the wealthier neighborhood areas.

Jose has always been a hardworking man and he is beloved by a lot of people in the community. He helps feed the kids, picks them up from school while VAnessa works, and spoils them as much as he can. He’s the sweetest and most caring person ever and helps a lot of people in need and always has something to offer. Unfortunately, Jose will no longer be able to perform his daily activities or help with any bills any longer due to someone else’s mistake.

The family is pursuing legal action against the driver who cost Jose his leg.