High School Student Hit in Head by Subway Train Dies Updated April 3, 2011 9:25am

Adrian Rodriguez, who died Saturday after being hit by a subway. ()

By Olivia Scheck, Ben Fractenberg and Patrick Hedlund

DNAinfo Reporters/Producers

UNION SQUARE — Students at a Lower East Side school will be offered support Monday after an 18-year-old was struck in the head by a subway and died.

Adrian Rodriguez, a Marta Valle High School student from the Bronx, died in Bellevue Hospital Saturday. He had been knocked unconscious at the 14th Street-Union Square station Friday morning.

Witnesses told the New York Times he'd fallen while bounding down stairs, and slid into the train.

Blood can be seen on the platform of the 14th Street-Union Square station after a man was hit in the head by a subway train. (DNAinfo/Olivia Scheck)

"Adrian's life will continue to be a gift to others as his organs will be donated and help over 100 people," a statement released by the school said.

"His legacy of caring for others will live on."

A viewing has been arranged at Ortiz Funeral Home, on First Avenue, between 3 and 9 p.m. April 7. A memorial service will be held at the school on April 14 at 6 p.m.

"There will be a day of support for the MVHS students on Monday," said the statement.

Cliftonia Johnson, 47, an administrator at the school on Stanton Street, was close to tears as she left the hospital Friday afternoon.

"He's a fantastic student," she said. "We're devastated."

Michael Wiggins, who has been a custodian at the school for 17 years, said that Rodriguez used to come to school early and chat with him in the courtyard.

"He was always doing the right thing," Wiggins said. 

The custodian described Rodriguez as a "very good-natured kid, always busy," who was well-liked and had a lot of friends.

"He kept doing what he was supposed to do. His aim was getting into the cooking business," Wiggins said, adding that Rodriguez had cooked for school fundraisers and frequently wore his chef whites to school.

Another fellow senior, George Hernandez, 18, described him as quiet guy who wanted to do the color guard for graduation.

"He was an over-achiever," Hernandez said.

Police and the MTA are investigating the incident.

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