AUSTIN, Texas — Drive down South Lamar Boulevard in Central Austin and you’ll find Flavia’s Kitchen, which has been closed due to unforeseen circumstances.
The food truck first opened with the hard work and ambition of Flavia Arzate Gomez -an immigrant from Mexico- who was the owner and chef.
Rebecca Lightsey is the the co-executive director of American Gateways, which provides immigration legal services. She says her organization was able to help Gomez get her legal status.
“It was heartbreaking that Flavia was ready to become a citizen. We were going to be doing her citizenship papers with her very soon when she died,” Lightsey said.
Early on March 18, Kyle police said 21-year-old San Marcos resident Gabriella Saurette crashed into Gomez while she was fixing a tarp on her car along the southbound side of Interstate 35 near Yarrington Road. Gomez died at the scene.
Police said Saurette was drinking alcohol and she was charged with intoxication manslaughter.
“It was so sudden and so tragic to lose her in that way,” Lightsey said.
Francisco Rosales is the owner of Dulce Frida, located near Gomez’s food truck on South Lamar Boulevard. Rosales considered Gomez to be a mentor.
“A lot of people don’t tell you or advise you on what to do next because they think you’re gonna jump into their niche and take their customers away. But she wasn’t that person. She was a very kind woman,” Rosales said.
For Lightsey, Gomez’s character will best define the legacy she leaves behind.
“Flavia was a perfect example of what the immigrant community gives to all of us as our community,” Lightsey said. “She will be so deeply missed.”
The investigation remains underway. Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Kyle Police Department Crash Team at 512-268-3232 or send a tip to the Hays County Crime Stoppers by calling at 1-800-324-8477.
For a link to help Gomez’s family, click here.
