Young Cyclist's Life Changed Forever in Early Morning Horror Crash
A 20-year-old Georgia woman faces a lifetime of challenges after a devastating cycling accident that resulted in the traumatic amputation of her leg. Chloe Garcia was on an early morning bike ride with her boyfriend when her life was irrevocably altered by what her family describes as a careless driver.
The Fateful Morning Ride
On October 30 around 6 am, Garcia was cycling to a store in Alpharetta alongside her boyfriend, who rode a scooter. According to her heartbroken family, both vehicles were equipped with lights for visibility during the pre-dawn hours. Without warning, the driver of a black Mercedes AMG struck Garcia, throwing her from her bicycle with such force that her leg was completely severed from the hip upon impact.
The young victim was rushed to hospital where she remains in the Intensive Care Unit, having undergone at least three surgeries since the harrowing incident. Medical staff described her survival as miraculous given the extensive blood loss she suffered.
Family's Outrage and Demands for Justice
Garcia's sister, Kiara Ross, and mother, Shanta Watson, are speaking out about what they perceive as injustice in the aftermath of the collision. The family claims the driver wasn't given a sobriety test or cited at the scene, and they only discovered details about the vehicle involved after hiring legal representation.
"She had lights on, so how did you not see her?" Ross questioned in an interview with WTSP. "And there's no way that at minimum, he wasn't speeding."
Watson added emotionally: "My daughter was on the sidewalk. She wasn't even on the street. She hasn't even seen her 21st birthday. [The driver] ruined her life, but yet [he] walks around like nothing happened."
Mounting Medical Costs and Long Recovery
The financial burden of Garcia's medical care has already reached staggering proportions, with expenses exceeding $350,000. A GoFundMe campaign established to support her gruelling recovery journey has raised more than $4,790 to help cover surgeries, rehabilitation and future prosthetics.
"I can't even believe this is real life," Ross told reporters. "My sister's only 20 years old, and now she has to go about her life with one leg."
Cobb County Police have launched an investigation into the crash as the family seeks accountability. Watson expressed her desire for more than financial compensation: "I want him to pay, and it's not just money. I want him to understand what he has done."
This tragic incident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety for cyclists and pedestrians. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were approximately 39,345 traffic fatalities in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for improved safety measures and driver awareness.
