Sixto Bonilla, a chef at Mediterranean bistro Pheasant (445 Graham Ave.) in Williamsburg, was hit by a car this past weekend while he was biking home from work. He is currently being treated at King’s County Hospital for injuries to his arm and skull.
The owners of Pheasant, Catherine Alexander and Vincent Fraissange, posted the disheartening news on Instagram on Tuesday, July 19. They called Bonilla “a dear friend” and “more family than an employee.”
Alexander and Fraissange continued by writing, “Sixto has sustained severe injuries to both his arm and skull and is currently awaiting release from King’s County Hospital. By the time he leaves, he will have been there for at least three days. Not only will his medical bills be steep, but the road to recovery will be long.”
A multitude of greetings flooded the Instagram post. Bonilla was clearly touched and responded, “I am completely thrilled to receive all your get-well wishes. It is so very kind of you guys to think of me. You guys really have such a generous and true soul. My memories of how you guys help me through this will always hold a precious place in my heart. Thank you to all!”
To help cover the costs of Bonilla’s steep medical bills, the Pheasant owners started a Go Fund Me page. Pheasant’s Instagram bio contains a link to the page. As of time of this article’s publication on Thursday, there have been 219 donations totaling $14,394. The goal is listed at $20,000. Words of support are flooding in alongside the donations, showing what a great friend Bonilla is to many.
Pheasant posted on Instagram again on Wednesday, writing, “The Pheasant staff, FOH + BOH + Catering, is a really special one. Positive & hard-working, we feel really lucky to have such a great crew. And we always aim to provide each and everyone of them with the support & care they need in both the good times and bad.”
The restaurant’s post continued with, “We are beyond grateful for those of you have have generously donated to @sixtoteco Sixto’s GoFundMe. We are $6,591 short of our goal and are overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of support from our community & beyond.”
On the Go Fund Me Page, Alexander and Fraissange pledge to post updates about Bonilla’s condition.