Family reflects on life of Buffalo man who was hit, killed on Broadway

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A family is in mourning after a Buffalo man was hit and killed by an alleged drunk driver over the weekend.

Carlos Alex Rodriguez, 31, died after he was hit by an alleged drunk driver on Broadway near Wick Street. His family is heartbroken.

The family told WIVB News 4 that Rodriguez was the father of two young boys and was planning a wedding with his fiancée.

Buffalo Police responded to the scene on Sunday around 2:40 a.m. for a report of a pedestrian struck. Buffalo Fire performed CPR, but wasn't able to save Rodriguez. The Erie County District Attorney's office says he was taken by ambulance to ECMC, where he was pronounced dead.

His family launched a GoFundMe, saying the money raised will go towards Rodriguez's boys and fiancée.

His sisters said he was a loving father, the best brother, a huge Bills fan and a hard worker.

"He was loved by everyone," said his sister Kariana Rivera. "He had a lot of friends. Everywhere that he went, everybody loved him. He was always very happy, positive. Yeah, he was very loved by many."

"He was amazing," said another one of Rodriguez's sisters Jomarie Rodriguez. "And I feel like he was also a big part of keeping us together. He was the glue. He was my backbone."

Buffalo Police said the driver, 23-year-old Danielle Davis, told officers on scene that the pedestrian ran in front of her vehicle. Jomarie told us that's not something Rodriguez would have done.

Davis was taken into custody after officers observed signs of intoxication. She is charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI and aggravated driving while intoxicated. She was arraigned on Monday and remains held on bail.

Kariana is pleading with people not to drink and drive. Along with his two sisters, Rodriguez leaves behind a large family.

"Family was everything for him," said Jomarie. "The community he built was based off of the love that he poured into the people that was around him, the people that he cared for and he showed that on a daily basis. He used to call me every day."

If you would like to donate to the GoFundMe, click here.