At a Glance
- Jonathan Rodriguez, 27, was fatally struck by a black SUV while standing near a median on West Davis Street after celebrating his birthday
- Surveillance shows the driver fleeing westbound toward Loop 12 with likely driver-side damage and a darkened left taillight
- Family is offering $10,000 for tips leading to an arrest; police have not released vehicle make or model
Why it matters: A young man celebrating his birthday steps from home becomes the latest unsolved hit-and-run, highlighting the growing crisis of drivers fleeing crash scenes in Dallas.
A Dallas family is pleading for help after 27-year-old Jonathan Rodriguez died from injuries sustained in an early-morning hit-and-run that occurred moments after friends dropped him off at his West Davis Street home.
The crash happened just before 3 a.m. Sunday on the 4000 block of West Davis Street near Kittiwake Circle. Rodriguez had been out celebrating his birthday-January 11-and was trying to get inside his house when he realized his phone battery had died, relatives told News Of Fort Worth.
Surveillance footage obtained by the family shows Rodriguez standing near the median feet from his front door. A black SUV then struck him and sped away westbound toward Loop 12, leaving him critically injured in the roadway.
“Friends had dropped them off at his house. And he wasn’t able to get in, his phone was dead,” said Frank Carrizales, Rodriguez’s uncle.
Several minutes passed before a passing motorist stopped to help.
“There was a gentleman that stopped and stayed there with him until the ambulance showed up. I just wanna thank you,” Carrizales said.
Rodriguez suffered severe head trauma, brain swelling, and a fractured top vertebra in his neck, according to Carrizales. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died days later.
The Search for the Driver
Dallas police have not confirmed the exact make or model of the suspect vehicle, citing an ongoing investigation. The family believes the SUV may be a 2015-2020 black Cadillac Escalade based on multiple surveillance angles.
“We’ve got several camera angles of the black SUV, 2015 to 2020, black Escalade,” Carrizales said.
Relatives say the SUV should have visible damage on the driver’s side. When the vehicle struck Rodriguez, the left taillight went dark, giving investigators a potential identifying clue.
“It’s going to have damage on the driver’s side,” Carrizales added.
‘A Fun, Loving Guy’
Family members describe Rodriguez as the oldest grandchild who brought energy to every gathering.
“He’s just a fun, loving guy,” Carrizales said. “He’s just a fun guy to be around. It’s always fun when you’re with him or his dad.”
The loss has left relatives struggling to comprehend his absence.
“It’s unbelievable. It’s not real to me still,” Carrizales said. “We’re with him every day, and now he’s gone.”
$10,000 Reward
The family is offering $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the driver responsible. They remain confident that tips from the public will help close the case.
“We’re gonna find you there. We’ve got a lot of footage so far, and it’s close,” Carrizales said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Dallas Police Department.
Key Takeaways
- Hit-and-run occurred January 11 just before 3 a.m. on 4000 block of West Davis Street
- Victim was 27-year-old Jonathan Rodriguez, celebrating his birthday
- Suspect vehicle described as black SUV, possibly 2015-2020 Escalade
- Family offering $10,000 reward for tips leading to arrest
