Tragedy struck a Kansas job site when a hardworking father of three never made it home.
David Rodriguez, 45, was on the job at a construction site in downtown Wichita when a devastating fall changed everything. According to local reports, Rodriguez plunged nearly 60 feet while working at the Bio-Med building near English Street and Topeka Avenue—just blocks from INTRUST Bank Arena—around 11 a.m. on March 30.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene and immediately began life-saving efforts. Wichita Fire Department Battalion Chief Jose Ocadiz said Rodriguez’s injuries were critical due to the height of the fall. Despite those efforts, he later died from his injuries.
The loss has sent shockwaves through both his workplace and the local community.
Midwest Drywall, the company Rodriguez worked for, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement, saying the team is “heartbroken” over the loss of one of their own. Work at the site has since been paused as officials review what led to the fatal incident.
But beyond the job site, Rodriguez’s impact ran much deeper.
Friends and community members remember him as more than just a coworker—he was a devoted husband, a proud father, and someone who brought energy and laughter wherever he went. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary, and their three young children, ages 9, 8, and 6.
A local nonprofit, League 42, shared that all three of his kids play baseball in the organization, describing Rodriguez as a “hard worker and devoted family man” who was always there for his children.
A GoFundMe set up for the family paints an even more personal picture, calling him “one of the hardest workers” who lived to support the people around him.
“I will always remember David as genuine, kind, and funny,” the fundraiser reads. “He was always making his friends laugh and lit up every room he walked into.”
So far, the campaign has raised more than $27,000 toward its $40,000 goal, as loved ones rally to support his grieving family with funeral costs and everyday expenses.
Meanwhile, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an investigation into the fatal fall to determine exactly what went wrong.
What's Up Today Editorial Team