Shock, Sadness Follow Fairfax Man's Death

Family members and local restaurant regulars are at a loss after the unexpected death of a Fairfax City man five days after he was released from the hospital.

Willow Crescent Drive resident Juan Pablo Hernandez Rodriguez, 66, was struck by a car while crossing Eaton Place in Fairfax City on Dec. 23. He was treated and released by Inova Fairfax Hospital, then returned and .

"My family was devastated to learn of Juan's death," said Great Falls resident Jeff Leiter. His wife, daughter and infant grandson dropped by Chicken Out Rotisserie in McLean on what turned out to be Rodriguez's last day of work before his death.

"Juan would always go out of his way to smile and wave 'hello' to my wife, daughters and me every time we came into the restaurant. He was part of our day every time we went into Chicken Out."

Renie Freedman, vice president of marketing and public relations for Chicken Out, which is headquartered in Gaithersburg, said Rodriguez was a greeter at the McLean restaurant. He helped people. Brought their food and cleaned the tables.

"He was a wonderful employee. Always very helpful. People really enjoyed him," she said.

Rodriguez was  Eaton Place in a crosswalk with the "walk" symbol at around 5:15 p.m. when he was hit by a vehicle turning left from the Chain Bridge Road service road, according to the .

He was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital and released. Rodriguez later came back to the hospital and died there. The Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said he died from internal injuries sustained in the crash, according to police.

The driver of the Honda, Kyung Boo You, 44, who lives on the same street as Rodriguez, was charged with failure to yield the right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

Rodriguez complained of chest and back pain and spotted blood in his urine days after the crash, according to The Washington Post. The Post story said Rodriguez did not have health insurance and his family was having trouble paying for his funeral.

Freedman said Chicken Out employees were offered insurance. She added that the company, which filed for bankruptcy in July 2011, intends to collect donations for the family at the McLean restaurant, at some point.

"I am sure other regulars at Chicken Out share the sorrow," Leiter said. "He worked hard, typically under the radar of most customers. However, we and others certainly appreciated his work."

President and CEO of Chicken Out, Richard Hindin, is a McLean neighbor. He lives in a mansion on Chain Bridge Road that is currently for sale for $6.9 million. He personally filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2010.