Oakland bicyclist killed after giving woman $1 to ride the bus, family says

Deonte Bush, 34, of Oakland was killed on July 27, 2018 while riding his bicycle. Photos: Brother Curtis McCullom 

A 34-year-old man was killed Friday night while riding his bicycle in Oakland, after he had just handed a woman short on cash $1 to take the bus, his family said.

Curtis McCullom told KTVU that his brother,  Deontae Bush, 34, of Oakland, was killed when he was struck in the intersection of 35th Avenue and Galindo Street about 9 p.m.

"He gave her a dollar, and then he was just pushing off," McCollum said.

McCollum said the woman who received the dollar told him she said she saw a van run a red light and strike Bush, who was the eldest of five siblings all raised by a single mom. 

Oakland police have not confirmed whether the van ran a red light. In a statement police said that a Chevrolet Express Limited van was driving northbound on 35th Avenue and had just entered the intersection at Galindo when Bush entered the roadway and was struck. Bush died at the scene, police said.

The van’s driver, a 40-year-old Oakland resident, remained at the scene and was cooperating with the investigation. Police said It is unknown if alcohol was a factor in the collision. 

It's not unusual that Bush died doing something kind, McCollum said. 

"He raised us," he said. "He took the father's role. He was very protective."

Bush had been living with his mother and was an amateur, rapper, basketball player and boxer.

His friend Marcell Jarvis called "Tae" a sweet, gentle giant because of his kind nature and his height. 

"He hyped up family and friends for their dreams," Jarvis said, noting that Bush encouraged his acting. "Tae made sure to make his rounds to each one of us." 

His family has set up a GoFundMe account in the wake of Bush's death.