BLAINE, Minn. – (May 12, 2016) – Last week violence and tragedy stuck a normally quiet Blaine neighborhood. A car driven by Adam Rodman was traveling at speeds estimated to be in excess of 60 mph through a residential area on 119th Avenue NE just west of Radisson Road. At the same time Danilo Morazan Aguilar, who had moved into the neighborhood just about a month ago was walking to get his mail.
Rodman lost control of his vehicle, hitting Dani and sending him 100 feet through the air. Dani’s body stuck a nearby garage door. Police and paramedics responded quickly to the scene to find witnesses performing CPR. The police and paramedics took over but Dani was pronounced dead on the sidewalk across the street from his home.
Adam Rodman
Police quickly located Rodman at his home only a few blocks away. According to the criminal complaint Rodman was passed out in his bed and the police found vomit on the floor next to him. A blood sample was taken from Rodman and toxicology reports are still pending. Arresting officers reported that Rodman had a strong smell of alcohol, slurred speech and scrapes on his face and neck. The next day Rodman was charged with three counts of criminal vehicular homicide and one count of failure to stop for a traffic collision.
Rodman has a lengthy criminal history including convictions for more than 20 traffic offenses as well as convictions for drugs and violence.
Dani leaves behind his wife, extended family, and his new neighborhood that he was just beginning to get to know. That neighborhood is working to support the family in tangible ways. After hearing about the tragedy Travis Dahlen, who lives about 2 blocks away from where the incident took place, started a Go Fund Me page to help the family during this time. “Hopefully it just helps them get through…makes them not have to worry about money and just focus on remembering” said Dahlen.
In just a few days more than seven thousand dollars had been donated. Dahlen is not surprised at how the neighborhood has rallied around this family. “This neighborhood out of any other place I’ve lived is definitely closer”
This week Dahlen met with Dani’s family and they are incredibly grateful for the support. “They are very grateful with the communities response, both with the Go Fund Me page and everything else that has been done” said Dahlen.
It is not clear if anything could have stopped Rodman who appeared to be heavily intoxicated when arrested. But, the neighborhood has demanded a response from city hall. Many neighbors say they have complained about speeding on 119th Avenue NE before. The city council has directed city staff to coordinate a community meeting to hear from residents and talk about potential solutions. To visit the Go Fund Me page click here.
