A teenager was charged in a hit-and-run crash that killed a popular Philadelphia DJ last month.
On Jan. 19, 2025, a 17-year-old boy — accompanied by his mother and attorney — surrendered to Philadelphia police in connection to the hit-and-run death of 54-year-old Hector “June” Rodriguez.
The teen was charged with accident involving death, homicide by vehicle, driving without a license, unsafe speed, reckless driving and other related offenses.
The deadly crash occurred on Dec. 20, 2025, around 3:45 a.m. at the intersection of North 56th Street and Lancaster Avenue. Police said Rodriguez was riding his bicycle and making a left turn when he was struck by a red SUV that was trailing behind him.
The SUV initially appeared to swerve and then continued westbound on Lancaster Avenue, fleeing the scene, police said.
Rodriguez was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4:47 a.m. that morning, police said.
Although police have not said if speed was a factor in the crash, neighbors told NBC10 that drivers often speed down the section of Lancaster Avenue where it occurred.
Rodriguez was a longtime employee and DJ for Bob and Barbara’s Lounge in Center City.
“June was with the Bob and Barbara’s family for decades and may have worn the most hats,” the lounge wrote in a post to social media. “From a long standing member of the drag show DJ team, to solo feature nights in the booth, he also greeted you at the door, he worked security inside, he helped cover barback shifts and most recently made the move into learning how to tend your bar.”
“A June of all trades, he was gracious and willing to do whatever he could for this bar and for all that crossed his path. He will be very missed and forever loved; we will be posting updates of memorials to come.”
In addition to working at Bob and Barbara’s Lounge, Rodriguez was popular in the house music scene.
Some of Rodriguez’s friends and family held a vigil for him at Penn Treaty Park in Fishtown on Dec. 21, playing music and remembering him at a place where he was known to host DJ events.
“It doesn’t seem real. I see him every week,” said James Thomas, who worked with June. “I don’t want to forget him. I don’t want anybody to forget that man. He’s such a great man.”
State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, whose district is in North Philadelphia, also knew June and considered him a friend.
“June knew how to lighten every room he walked into,” he said. “He treated people with a kindness that we can only hope that we could see matched around this world.”
According to Philly Bike Action, a bicyclist activist group in the city, Rodriguez was the seventh cyclist to be killed by a motorist this year, which is up from three total deaths in 2024.
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