Emilio Vargas had pedaled the route dozens of times.

The 78-year-old had ridden his elote cart around the East End since the late 1980s when he moved to the neighborhood , earning the affection of neighbors who simply call him the “elote man.”

Despite an ever-growing number of drivers on Houston roads, Vargas said he regularly maneuvered Navigation Boulevard selling the Mexican street corn without once getting into an accident.

His streak ended Sunday, when he was hit and injured by a car as he turned onto the thoroughfare from North Milby. The driver stopped to help but didn’t have insurance. Vargas was injured, and his elote cart was destroyed.

“His only livelihood is the bike,” said neighbor Yolanda Galvan, whose family has been close to Vargas for years.

Vargas suffered a broken shoulder, along with other bumps and bruises. On top of that, police ticketed him for running a red light before he was taken to a hospital.

Community members say he’s been left with nothing. They’re teaming up to help Vargas get a new cart and pay for his rent and medical bills. After all, Vargas says he doesn’t plan to stop selling elote anytime soon.

“I just like to talk to people,” Vargas said through a translator.

Vargas sat in his home Monday with a small blanket draped around his neck, covering the large bruise around his left shoulder. His smile reveals a few missing teeth and leathery skin from days in the sun.

Vargas was surrounded by neighbors who have become the closest thing to family he has in the city — Yolanda Galvan, her son Richard Galvan and his wife Trini.

Richard Galvan is leading the donation effort with Hector Garcia, a Fifth Ward resident and an active member of Houston’s cycling community. For Richard, it’s more of a personal undertaking.

“We’ve just grown to know each other and we became very close,” said Richard, adding that Vargas rode to his house every day. “Anytime he was in need of something, he would call me and I would take him whatever it was.”

Vargas moved from Sabinas, Cohuila, Mexico in 1988 and settled down in the East End. He started his profession as the “elote man” making the Mexican treat himself, selling it out of cups. Elote is made of cooked sweet corn covered with chili powder and either mayonnaise or Mexican crema.

Vargas eventually developed his favorite spots for hungry customers, including Jackson Middle School, Austin High School and Eastwood Park. He also sold raspas in the summer.

Over time, he became a friendly face.

“You see him out in the street, just honk at him, and he knew who you were,” Yolanda Galvan said. “I don’t think the man has a bad bone in his body.”

A GoFundMe page set up for Vargas collected more than $6000 by Tuesday night. Richard Galvan said he’s shooting for $10,000 for all of Vargas’ expenses, including better safety features for his bike, dental work and and money for food.

Additionally, El Tiempo Cantina on Navigation will serve as a drop off site for donations. A box will be located inside the entrance with Vargas’ name on it.

Vargas doesn’t have insurance. Yolanda Galvan said he wouldn’t publicly ask for help on his own, so they’re doing it for him.

“We’re the only couple of people that he confides in,” she said.

julian.gill@chron.com