Cyclist killed in Philly hit-and-run ID'd as longtime Philly DJ: ‘Forever loved'

A 54-year-old cyclist who was struck and killed in a hit-and-run in the Overbrook neighborhood of West Philadelphia on Saturday morning has been identified as June Rodriguez, 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 Sunday, 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.”

Rodriguez’s brother, Moise, told NBC10 he wishes more was known about the driver involved in his June’s death.

“It’s ridiculous,” he said. “I don’t understand how we don’t know not even the license plate of the vehicle when there’s cameras everywhere and nobody’s even come forward to say that they know about this is pretty sad.

According to police, the crash happened at around 3:44 a.m. at the intersection of North 56th Street and Lancaster Avenue when a red SUV, possibly a Jeep Grand Cherokee, struck Rodriguez as he attempted to make a left turn on his way home from work.

Both Rodriguez and the SUV were initially traveling westbound on Lancaster Avenue, with the car trailing behind Rodriguez. However, Rodriguez tried to make a left turn southbound onto North 56th Street when he was struck by the SUV, police said.

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., 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.

“Everybody loved him. To see him go like this is so tragic,” Thomas said. “Who ever did it please come forward.”

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.

The crash is being investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department, and anyone with information is urged to contact investigators at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or anonymously online here.

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