Los Angeles Mourns Beloved Bus Operator Tanya Perry After Fatal Hit-and-Run
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — It happened in an instant, on a quiet Sunday evening near the heart of Eagle Rock, when the hum of traffic on the 2 Freeway mixed with the sounds of routine city life. But by 7:40 p.m., everything had changed. Tanya Perry, a Los Angeles Metro bus operator and beloved community member, lay fatally struck near Colorado Boulevard, her life ending where duty and tragedy collided.
Authorities say Tanya had just paused for her scheduled break when a hit-and-run driver barreled through the area, striking her before speeding away into the night. The impact was devastating — so sudden that firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department, who arrived within minutes, could do nothing more than confirm what no one wanted to believe: Tanya Perry had passed away at the scene.
Investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Traffic Division immediately sealed off the area, gathering every clue they could find — from tire marks and shattered fragments of vehicle debris to surveillance footage from nearby businesses. They are now working tirelessly to trace the car responsible for the crash, though as of midweek, no arrests have been made and no suspect vehicle has been publicly identified.
The hit-and-run occurred in an area where traffic from the 2 Freeway funnels into Colorado Boulevard, a corridor that residents say has long needed stronger pedestrian safety measures. For Tanya, who was simply stepping away from her bus for a short break, the danger proved fatal.
She was more than a driver, colleagues and family say — she was a light in people’s days, someone who treated passengers not just as commuters, but as human beings. Known for her radiant smile and upbeat spirit, Tanya brought the same warmth to her job that she did to her small baking business, Forever Sweets, which she started to share her love of homemade desserts with others.
“Tanya cared about people deeply — she showed it every day,” said her sister, Logan Perry, speaking tearfully at a candlelight vigil held Tuesday night in Eagle Rock. “She would wake up early, bake cupcakes for her coworkers, then spend her day serving others behind the wheel. She was selfless, kind, and full of dreams. And now she’s gone because someone didn’t stop.”
The vigil drew dozens of family members, friends, coworkers, and even Metro passengers who had ridden her routes over the years. Candles flickered along the sidewalk, illuminating handwritten signs and photos of Tanya in her Metro uniform, smiling as always.
Officials with Los Angeles Metro released a public statement expressing their heartbreak over losing one of their own.
“Tanya Perry represented the best of Metro — dedication, compassion, and professionalism,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with her family, colleagues, and everyone whose life she touched. She will be deeply missed.”
Police continue to appeal for witnesses, urging anyone who may have seen a speeding vehicle near the intersection of Colorado Boulevard and the 2 Freeway between 7:30 and 7:45 p.m. Sunday to come forward. Even small details — a color, a sound, a partial license plate — could help bring closure to a family now living with unbearable loss.
Tanya’s friends have since organized an online fundraiser to assist with funeral costs and to help keep her dream of Forever Sweets alive in her memory. The campaign has drawn heartfelt messages from coworkers who recall her encouragement and laughter during long shifts, and from passengers who said she made their commutes brighter just by saying hello.
For now, the corner where she was struck remains a somber place. Flowers, candles, and photos line the curb — a growing memorial to a woman who dedicated her life to serving others.
As Los Angeles traffic continues to surge and drivers rush from place to place, those who loved Tanya Perry ask for something simple: that the person responsible step forward, and that her story reminds others to slow down, stay alert, and remember that every street holds a life worth protecting.