The family of Richardson Ayala, a hard working 67-year-old food truck driver from Anaheim who died on Tuesday night in a collision in Santa Ana, has raised over $5,000 on GoFundMe to help to pay for the funeral arrangements.
Ayala’s family posted this statement on their GoFundMe page:
Ricardo spent his entire life working tirelessly to provide for his family. No matter how hard things got, he never gave up. Behind his big smile and cheerful spirit was a man who had endured unimaginable loss – the passing of his 1st wife, his daughter, his son and granddaughter . Yet somehow, he kept going. He kept cooking, kept driving, kept showing up for the people he loved.
He was not only a loving father and grandfather but also a brother, a husband, and a friend to everyone who crossed his path especially withing the Food Truck Community, he truly loved showing up day after day for his customers…his friends. Richard touched countless lives with his kindness and humility, and his sudden passing has left a void that words cannot fill.
We are asking for your help during this heartbreaking time. His family is now facing the unexpected costs of funeral arrangements and the many financial burdens that follow. Any contribution – no matter how small – will go directly toward supporting Ricardo’s family as they lay him to rest with his son and daughter.
Please consider donating or sharing this page to help honor Ricardos memory. Your love, prayers, and generosity mean more than words can express.
General Commercial Vehicle Accident Stats
- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports over 500,000 commercial vehicle crashes annually in the U.S.. [www.trucki…cident.com]
- These include delivery vans, box trucks, utility vehicles, and food trucks, though food trucks are not tracked separately.
- About 4,500 of these crashes involve fatalities, and 100,000+ cause injuries.
- Food truck incidents often happen during late-night operations, urban driving, or tight turns, which are common in food truck routes.
Risk Factors for Food Trucks
Food trucks face unique risks:
- Heavy equipment and propane tanks onboard can increase fire or explosion risk in crashes.
- Urban traffic and frequent stops raise the likelihood of collisions.
- Driver fatigue and long hours may contribute to accidents.
While food trucks are a small subset of commercial vehicles, they are not immune to serious accidents. Their crash frequency is likely much lower than long-haul trucks, but urban environments and vehicle design can make accidents more dangerous when they do occur.