Rolando Ixcoy, Victim Relief, Medical Expense Fund

Rolando Ixcoy needs our help.   On Monday, February 1st just before midnight, he was walking home from work when he was the victim of a hit and run on Beacon Hill.  Rolando lives on Beacon Hill with his brother, Francisco,  and brother's family.  He is originally from Guatemala and has lived here for 5 years.  Rolando works 2 jobs to contribute to his household and his family could use a lot of support from our community at this time.  

My name is Drea Mizer and I am the owner of Buddha Bruddah on Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA.  Rolando is one of our line cooks.  He has worked with us since August 2020.  We are asking for donations on behalf of Rolando to help cover his Medical Expenses, Household Bills, Loss of Wages and Continued Recovery.  If we could do this all alone we would in a heartbeat, because Rolando is the type of person you would do anything for.  He is part of our Ohana.  We hope that we can call on the community to show Rolando the same love and support that we have received from you all over this past year.   You can feel really good about donating to his cause.  

Rolando was scheduled to work with us on Tuesday morning at 9am, but he didn't show up and didn't call, which was very unusual for him.  At 11:15am, I received a phone call at the restaurant from an ER nurse at Harborview.  She couldn't tell me much except that they were treating one of our employees in the ICU.  Rolando had just woken up from surgery and the very first thing he said was, "I am supposed to be at work.  Will you please call my work and tell them what happened."  When she told me that it made me cry.    I couldn't believe that was the first thing he was worried about.  Rolando is really a stand up guy with a big heart and is a true testament of outstanding character.  

We do not have all of the details of his accident, but we know that he was in a marked crosswalk near the south end of the 2900 block on Beacon Ave S when he was hit and that the driver fled the scene.  Seattle Fire Department responded and found Rolando lying in the street in critical condition with several lacerations,  an open abdominal wound and many internal injuries.  He was lucky to be alive.  Upon admission at Harborview ER, he was immediately taken into surgery to repair his diaphragm and cuts in his kidney.  That was around 2am Tuesday morning.  By midnight Tuesday, we were getting text updates that Rolando was still in very serious condition and that his internal bleeding would not stop.  He required another life-saving surgery and his status was critical.  He almost didn't make it through the night on Tuesday.  His surgery Wednesday morning was successful in stopping the internal bleeding and by Thursday he was moved out of ICU Acute Care into his own room.  We were so very thankful!  We were able to speak with Rolando Friday afternoon for a brief enough moment to tell him hello and that we are all thinking of him and missing him and wishing him the very best recovery possible.  He struggled to speak but when he did the first thing he said to Sous Chef, Luis, is "Jefe, I'm sorry I wasn't there.  I'm sorry I didn't call."  He told Luis that he was just so thankful to be alive and that he knows he almost didn't make it on Tuesday.  

We don't know how long Rolando will be in the hospital or how much time he will need for recovery at home.  We do know that Rolando will always have a job with us and we are ready to welcome him back whenever he is ready.  



Rolando does have health insurance through our group policy.  He joined during our open enrollment period and his effective date for coverage was February 1st.  Can you believe it?  February 1st and that very night he would need it in a big way.  His max out of pocket for the year is estimated to be $10,000.00 and he will undoubtedly have additional medical expenses.   As his employer, we will make sure to keep his insurance premiums paid during his medical leave.  

Pictured here is Rolando on the right.  Sous Chef, Luis, in the middle.  Friend, roommate, and co-worker, Tony, on the left.  


 
Please donate generously as you are able.  We will also be hosting other fundraising events at our restaurant and will be announcing them through social media.  All proceeds from fundraising events will go to Rolando's Medical Fund.  We will use the hashtag #lightrolandoswok as a symbol of getting him back on his feet and behind the wok on the line as soon as he is ready.  We also plan to equip Rolando with full reflective gear to help light his walk home in the future.  

Rolando's case is an active investigation with Seattle Police Department.  If you have any information related to his accident, please call SPD South Precinct at [phone redacted].  If you have a residential or business security camera in the vicinity of the accident, please review your footage for any possible information.  *The date and time of the accident was February 1st before midnight.  The location was the south end of the 2900 block on Beacon Ave S. *information has been updated*  We are not sure which crosswalk he was in but we hope to gain more information once we obtain the official police report.




Roland and his brother have both given us verbal permission to share his story and photos and to raise money on his behalf.   We will be doing everything we can to help him during this difficult time.  We will update this site as more details are available.