Ray Deter, the 53-year-old owner of the popular beer bars D.B.A., is currently listed in critical but stable condition at Bellevue after colliding with a Jaguar at the intersection of Canal and West Broadway during the evening rush hour Monday. His wife of 21 years, Catherine Lepp, tells the Daily News, "It's too early to say, but there's such a large amount of bleeding in his brain that it's not good. He's unconscious and he's not responding." On the D.B.A. Facebook page, friends of Deter are asking everyone to pray for him, writing:
We'd like to request that you pray for & send your loving healing thoughts & energy to Ray for his recovery. And we do ask at this time that you please do NOT visit the hospital, it's too overwhelming for the family, and they request you keep sending love. Likewise please don't call the bars right now, it's too huge to comprehend, everyone is going through a lot. Your thoughts & love are most appreciated.
Police sources tell the News that both Deter and the Jaguar driver, Anthony Guan, 24, were headed east. According to police, Deter was in the right lane and Guan was in the middle lane, and as they approached the intersection with West Broadway, Deter "suddenly tried to make a left turn and pedaled straight into Guan's path." Deter was sent careening over the top of the car and sustained severe head trauma. (A Franciscan brother reportedly gave him last rites before he was taken away.)
Deter's wife says her husband would bike everywhere, adding, "He doesn't wear a helmet. He always said his head was too big—but that's rubbish."
