Boulder Station mourns worker killed in DUI bike collision

Thursday, July 2, 2009 | 12:15 p.m.

Gary John Lommason

Crash location

Police: Man impaired on drugs drove on sidewalk, struck bicyclist (6-30-09)

A bicyclist killed Monday afternoon after being struck by a suspected impaired driver has been identified as 43-year-old Gary John Lommason.

Lommason is a retired 1st class Army sergeant and 15-year security team member at Boulder Station.

The driver of a 1990 GMC Suburban struck Lommason as he rode a red Schwinn Traverse mountain bike on a sidewalk on Desert Inn Road, just west of South Sandhill Road, Metro Police said.

After the crash Lommason was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel, police said.

"Gary has been part of the Boulder Station family since we opened our doors in 1994," said Don Richardson, general manager at Boulder Station.

"He was an exemplary team member who loved his job, was committed to team work and brought a positive energy to our team and guests. We will truly miss Gary and our condolences go out to his loving family," Richardson said.

Donations are being accepted to help offset funeral expenses at US Bank under the "Gary Lommason Memorial Fund.

A public memorial for Gary's friends, family and work colleagues is being scheduled in the coming days at Boulder Station.

The family requests that people do not set up a memorial on the side of the road where the collision took place because Lommason was strict on bike safety and would not want to cause any problems or distractions on the roads, the family said.

The GMC was going west on Desert Inn when it ran up onto the north sidewalk, striking the rear of the bicycle, police said. The GMC continued traveling on the sidewalk for a short distance with Lommason trapped beneath the SUV, police said.

The SUV driver, 50-year-old Charley A. Matanza of Las Vegas, failed a field sobriety test, police said. Neither the driver, nor his passenger, 57-year-old Ramon Matanza of Las Vegas, were injured in the collision, police said.

Charley Matanza was taken to the Clark County Detention Center where he was booked on a charge of driving under the influence of drugs causing death, detention center records show.

Discussion: 9 comments so far…

By LasVegas2009

7/2/09 at 12:53 p.m.

Suggest removal

This city needs to do more to provide safe streets. I dont care if they have to put a breath analyzer in every car something needs to be done.
By rejco100

7/2/09 at 1:17 p.m.

Suggest removal

The Lawmakers would NEVER allow breathalyzers in all cars; the lawmakers & government employees would never get their cars started and show up for duties.
By exasperated

7/2/09 at 1:37 p.m.

Suggest removal

How bad are drivers here in Las Vegas when pedestrians, walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and bus riders are being killed...while on the sidewalk? No blame on Gary for having the sense to ride his bike on the sidewalk instead of the street for safety concerns.
What a shame. My condolences go out to his family, friends, and co-workers. And everyone of us who live in Las Vegas. Because we could be the next innocent victim. Gary was taken way too soon in a preventable "accident". R.I.P. Sgt. Lommason.
By Westerly8

7/2/09 at 1:48 p.m.

Suggest removal

The town needs more bike lines with visible stripes. It is really dangerous riding here without them.
By rattlefish

7/2/09 at 2:36 p.m.

Suggest removal

Where is Alexandra Berzon on the story of bicyclists and pedestrians killed by cars, or the number of car related deaths in Clark county?
By gmcdowell

7/2/09 at 4:49 p.m.

Suggest removal

It's a true tragedy that someone as genuinely kind and good natured as Gary was struck down in his prime by the irresponsible actions of others. There is no punishment severe enough for the perpetrators of this heinous crime. My heart goes out to his kids, wife, and the rest of the family. May God give you strength and peace during this time of mourning. R.I.P fellow Bengal. Much love, class of 84.
By revtomperl

7/2/09 at 6:48 p.m.

Suggest removal

my sympathies to the family - but one of the pieces of safety is that bicyclists should also follow traffic laws - drunken and drug impaired drivers should be reminded and thankful they are in this country - in the iron curtain era in countries in the Russian block countries, drivers like this one would probably have been executed by now.
By gdperson

7/3/09 at 3:59 p.m.

Suggest removal

You couldn't pay me to ride a bike in Las Vegas.
By piper

10/20/09 at 4:22 p.m.

Suggest removal

Gary was my Army brother and one of the best friends anyone could ask for. He was my rock in Iraq. He kept me sane. It was my first deployment and his second. He never got mad or upset. We miss him terribly and still cry for him. Alot of us have had to go to therapy with our VA counselors because he touched our lives in such a great and positive way. All we can to do now is make sure that his memory and legacy live on with, not only his children, but the rest of us too who will always love and cherish him. Godspeed Gary. We know God needed you back. I have cherished every moment, every laugh, and every conversation we had from the moment the Goddess and God crossed our paths. You welcomed me into the 257, took me under your wing as a new soldier and appreciated the laughs I apparently brought to you when I said something stupid, or something that probably shouldn't have been said. Thank you for being my family. I will never say good-bye... I will see you later, brother.