The Brief
- A 72-year-old man was arrested following a hit-and-run involving two cyclists on a Cherokee County road.
- The driver allegedly struck the cyclists with his vehicle after honking at them for two minutes.
- Deputies say the driver blamed the cyclists.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. – A 72-year-old man is in jail after authorities say he struck two cyclists with his vehicle and left the scene in Cherokee County.
The incident on Sugar Pike Road
What we know
Richard Collins, who was leading a North Georgia Cycling Association group ride on Thursday, said a driver approached the group from behind and honked excessively for about two minutes. According to Collins, the vehicle’s side mirror struck the cyclist behind him, then hit Collins, knocking him off his bike.
Collins was treated by paramedics at the scene for road rash on his shoulder, elbow, and knee. He later visited an orthopedist who discovered a fracture of his lower spine. Cherokee County Sheriff’s officials arrested the driver, 72-year-old Jerry Wayne Ross, at a neighbor’s house nearby. Ross faces six charges, including hit-and-run, aggressive driving, and failing to maintain a safe distance from a bicycle.
By the numbers
- The group was participating in a 32-mile ride.
- The driver allegedly followed the cyclists for about 2 minutes.
- Georgia law requires drivers to provide at least 3 feet of distance when passing cyclists.
What they’re saying…