Bicyclist dead after hit-and-run

A chef at a popular downtown Oklahoma City restaurant died Thursday after he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bike near the Plaza District.

About 2:40 a.m. Thursday, Chad Ryan Epley, 31, was riding a bicycle west on NW 16, near Classen Boulevard. Epley was struck by a vehicle traveling south on Classen Boulevard that then left the scene, police said. Investigators determined that Epley's bicycle was dragged to NW 6 and Western Avenue.

Epley, who was not wearing a helmet, was taken to a local hospital with severe head injuries.

Earlier this year, Epley was named co-executive chef at Vast, a restaurant located at the top of the Devon Tower. He previously served as the sous chef at the restaurant.

Restaurant officials told The Oklahoman Thursday afternoon that Epley had died from injuries he suffered in the collision.

The restaurant announced on Facebook that they would be closed Thursday evening and would be re-opening for normal business hours Friday.

Whitney Vorderlandwehr, 28, said she's known Epley for over a decade and that he was a childhood sweetheart of hers.

“He was a positive guy, he had nothing bad to say. He was always happy,” she said. “He was so impactful in every relationship, he was the glue to all of the friendships and he was such a social butterfly.”

She said after getting the phone call about Epley's death she was completely in shock, adding that he was an “icon in our community.”

Epley started his culinary career as a sushi chef in a mall and worked hard to make sure he was the best, Vorderlandwehr said.

“He was a go-getter, he had a passion,” she said. “He was a very special person so, to know that he climbed that ladder so fast and so young was not a shock to any of us because of how special of a person he really was.”

Vorderlandwehr said he touched the lives of countless people and that she wouldn't have the close group of friends she has today without knowing the adventurous and fun-loving Epley.

No information about the vehicle that hit Epley has been released. Anyone with information about the incident should call Crime Stoppers at 235-7300.