Tulsa Man's Death Has Family Grieving, Cyclists Rallying For Safety

A family is coming together after one of their loved ones died in a crash while riding in south Tulsa Thursday night.

The family of Gary Domres said he relied on his bike for transportation and they're sad his life ended so soon.

"He was a character and everyone knew what a character he was," said Becky Gordon.

Gordon is talking about her brother, Domres, who died Thursday night while riding his bike along Riverside Drive.

5/8/2014 Related Story: Tulsa Police Identify Bicycle Rider Killed In Crash On Riverside Drive

Police say a car hit Domres when he crossed into traffic from the grassy shoulder near 81st Street.

"It hurts how he had to go. I'm sorry for the young man that hit him, I'm sorry that he's having to go through this," Gordon said.

Domres' family may never know why he crossed into traffic and didn't ride on the nearby bike path. Family members believe he tried to ride over to the Casino across the street.

"He should of been safe riding his bicycle," said Gordon.

Adam Vanderburg, with Lee's Bicycles, is trying to make sure crashes like Domres' don't happen again. He and fellow supporters rallied in front of City Hall, wanting more pathways and bike safety education.

"I would give Tulsa, and our transportation people and our leadership particularly an F maybe a D at best," Vanderburg said.

He said the region has completed about a third of the proposed trails. He also said there isn't a right or wrong way to get to where you need to go, and riders can use as much of the road as cars do.

"Paths don't always get us to point A, to point B the quickest and most efficiently," Vanderburg said.

Domres' sister will always remember him as a sweet and loving baby brother. She hopes everyone is paying attention on the streets.

"We're just all kind of in shock because it shouldn't of happened," she said.

No funeral arrangements have been made, Domres' family said his body is still at the medical examiner's office.

Police are still investigating.