Old friends

Victor de La Torre, 82, grimaces after hearing that Salvador Jaramillo's longtime walking partner Jose Noriega, 101, had been killed by a car while crossing the street to meet Jaramillo in Boyle Heights.

Victor de La Torre, 82, grimaces after hearing that Salvador Jaramillo’s longtime walking partner Jose Noriega, 101, had been killed by a car while crossing the street to meet Jaramillo in Boyle Heights.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

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Salvador Jaramillo and Jose Noriega met every weekday morning to walk to get coffee in Boyle Heights. Then, Jose Noriega died after being hit by a car. Now, Jaramillo walks alone.

Lorena and Opal streets

Jose Noriega was using this crosswalk at the intersection of Opal and Lorena streets in Boyle Heights when he was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on Oct. 1. Authorities have arrested a suspect.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Salvador Jaramillo

Salvador Jaramillo, 93, pauses at the candle memorial for his friend and walking partner Jose Noriega, a day after Noriega was killed by a passing car nearby in Boyle Heights.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)