Mariachi Featured in Voices Recovering From Car Crash
Jose Jesus Vargas, the mariachi featured in Voices on June 26, is recovering from injuries he suffered when a car struck the truck he and his mariachi troupe were traveling in on July 4.
Vargas, 56, suffered a broken leg and head injuries after the truck was hit by a Chevrolet Monte Carlo at the intersection of Boyle and Fourth streets in Boyle Heights, near Mariachi Plaza. The driver fled the scene and has not been found or identified, police said.
“It’s good to have festival days and to celebrate heroes. But we have to honor heroes without getting anyone hurt,” said Vargas, whose leg will be in a cast for at least six weeks.
A Maywood priest has offered him a temporary job giving violin lessons to area children, but the mariachi says it will now be harder than ever to support his family of five.
He said he will continue singing and playing the violin, but is more unsure than ever about his future as a mariachi.
Two other members of Los Monarcas, a guitar player and trumpet player, suffered minor injuries.
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