An Edinburg family loses a loved one in a tragic accident as she was walking back from a local store Wednesday night.
It was a routine activity for 87-year-old Francisca Lopez Tovar and few expected that it would lead to her death.
For the past few years, Lauro Hinojosa would see Francisca Lopez Tovar, better known as “Kika”, walk down the street of their Edinburg colonia to the store.
Hinojosa said it was not uncommon for her to ask for a ride from neighbors, but on Tuesday night she made the trip on her own.
As she was crossing Raul Longoria Road, the driver of a white Crysler minivan fatally struck her.
"Investigators said that the area is very dark and visibility is restricted and the lighting is very poor,” said Edinburg Police Lt. Oscar Treviño. “Which may have been a contributing factor to this accident."
The people living in the colonia said they want to see changes to keep this from happening again.
Hinojosa said he feels there should be lights placed along the road.
The strech of Raul Longoria Road from Freddy Gonzalez Drive to Sprague Road has no street lights.
The police department agrees that should change.
"We will contact the city and make a recommendation but that hasn't been discussed at this time, said Lt. Treviño. “That is something that we can look into."
While it may be too late for Kika, her family hopes their loss can bring about some change.
Family members of Tovar are asking for help and have set up an account 0061061158 at First National Bank
Anyone wanting more information or wishing to make other donations is asked to call Dalia Guerrero at (956) 321-9322.
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