Arrest made in the fatal hit-and-run of beloved Philly DJ
Rodriguez, 54, was riding his bike home after a shift at Bob & Barbara’s when he was struck.
A 17-year-old Philadelphian turned himself in on Monday in connection with the fatal hit and run of June Rodriguez, a beloved and decades-long presence at Bob & Barbara’s Lounge.
Philadelphia police said they had already obtained a warrant for the teen’s arrest when he turned himself in, accompanied by his mother and attorney.
The teen, whose name is not being released because he is a minor, was charged with multiple felonies, including homicide by vehicle, as well as involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving, driving without a license, and related offenses.
But for the victim’s son, Skye Rodriguez, the arrest brings little solace.
“I feel relieved, but I’m still angry,” he said in between sobs. “I know I’m called to forgive because that’s my faith, I just don’t know how to. It’d be different if this kid hit my dad and went straight to the police station.”
But the teen didn’t.
The younger Rodriguez said his father did everything right as he rode his bike home after a shift at Bob & Barbara’s on Dec. 20.
“My father was very cautious — he even had reflectors on his boots,” said Skye Rodriguez, who learned of the added precaution when the morgue gave him his father’s things.
June Rodriguez, 54, was turning onto North 56th Street from Lancaster Avenue in Overbrook around 3:45 a.m. when the driver of a red SUV swerved into him and drove away, according to Philadelphia police.
Rodriguez’s death devastated Philadelphia’s queer community, where he was a known DJ, and the city’s house music scene. Friends remembered Diaz as a warm, welcoming individual, and a strong ally and presence in the LGBTQ+ community, though he was straight himself.
One remembrance feature on a GoFundMe page for Rodriguez’ funeral expenses said the DJ created “a sanctuary on the dance floor.”
His death also mobilized safe-streets advocates, who noted that stretch of Lancaster Avenue is one of the city’s most dangerous, part of the 12% of city streets that account for 80% of traffic deaths and serious injuries.
Rodriguez’s son said he had yet to watch the surveillance video procured by investigators. Police have told him that his father had his reflectors on and was in the bike lane.
Still, Rodriguez doesn’t know if he wants to see the moment of impact. His father’s belongings were covered with blood, he said. He doesn’t want to see the severity of the impact play out.
For now, he is grateful to have a break in the case.
“If it wasn’t detectives or police making it a big deal, what if it had been swept under the rug?” he said.