Cyclist worried about biking on city streets before deadly collision with HISD bus, father says

David Loya was hit and killed by an HISD bus driver last week near his apartment in the Heights. His father said he was always an active person. He previously expressed concerns about the dangers of cycling on Houston roads. less David Loya was hit and killed by an HISD bus driver last week near his apartment in the Heights. His father said he was always an active person. He previously expressed concerns about the dangers of cycling on ... more Photo: Felipe Pinales Photo: Felipe Pinales Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Cyclist worried about biking on city streets before deadly collision with HISD bus, father says 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

David Loya had been an avid cyclist in Houston for about eight months, but he was already keenly aware of the dangers around him on the road.

His stepfather, Felipe Pinales, recalled a conversation with the 23-year-old who frequently rode his bike near his apartment in the Heights area. Loya said he was worried about cars creeping close to him as he pedaled in the bike lane.

"I've almost been bumped twice," Pinales recalled Loya saying last Tuesday as they shopped together at the mall.

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Those words would come back to Pinales' mind two days later, after Loya was hit and killed Thursday afternoon by a Houston ISD bus driver at East 8th Street and Heights Boulevard.

Loya had been pedaling north in a bike lane along the boulevard and appeared to have the right away as the bus stopped at a stop sign on East 8th, police previously said. The bus driver continued through the intersection and went in front of the bicyclist and hit him, police said.

Police said Loya got caught under the rear wheels of the bus while trying to avoid the collision, and the impact killed him almost instantly. The driver has not been charged in his death.

The crash left Pinales in utter disbelief. He had just discussed his son's plan to start riding in the mornings, when fewer cars compete for road space. News reports of the crash said it happened around 3 p.m.

Then, a Houston police investigator called and confirmed his worst fears.

"I didn't want to face reality that that was his bike on the street," he said.

Since the crash, Pinales said he and his wife Teresa have visited the scene up to three times a day. Teresa prays around a makeshift memorial, while Felipe reminds Loya how much they miss him.

Felipe said he married his wife when Loya was just a baby, and he never thought of him as a stepchild.

"He never, ever called me stepdad," Pinales said. "He always called me 'Dad' or 'Pops.' I taught him everything — how to be a man and how to be responsible. I love him so much...He was my son."

He said Loya first developed a passion for cycling around August 2018, after reading a book about a Navy Seal who competed in triathlons.

Even before his newfound love, Loya was rarely seen sitting down. He and his brother often played basketball at Spotts Park near Buffalo Bayou. He trained at the now-closed Northwest Boxing Gym. He worked as a lifeguard at triathlon events, and he loved skateboarding down Heights Boulevard.

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He balanced his active lifestyle with jobs focused on helping younger kids, Pinales said. He was one of the first instructors at Pengu Swim School-Houston Central. More recently, he worked at Southwest Key Programs, where he supervised migrant children during the overnight shift, Pinales said.

He said Loya spoke enough Spanish to get close to some migrant children under his care. Most of the kids from Central America.

"Sometimes, David would cry with his mom, because there were some kids there who went through some hard times," Pinales said. "They'd tell them to not to get too personal with the kids, but David is not that type of guy."

Loya's work ethic extended to boxing. Juan Lopez, the former trainer at Northwest Boxing Gym, said he was either working or studying when he wasn't boxing.

"He wasn't the type that was playing around or goofing off," Lopez said. "He was a hard worker."

Pinales said his son was pursuing an associated degree in mechanical engineering at the time of his death. He "still had a long life to live," and Pinales hopes the crash will inspire drivers to be more cautious of cyclists and other pedestrians on the road.

"I know the bus driver is probably going through some stuff right now, but my son was young," he said. "If she would have given a second or third look, he'd still be here."

A viewing ceremony for Loya will be held 5 p.m. this Thursday at Funeraria Del Angel at 5100 North Freeway.

Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.