A Georgia man has been charged with assault after allegedly striking two cyclists while attempting to overtake them, according to authorities. Footage captured by a member of the North Georgia Cycling Association (NGCA) showed a black Honda Pilot hitting two individuals as the group rode along Sugar Pike Road, approximately one hour outside Atlanta on Thursday.
Incident Details
Driver Jerry Ross, 72, reportedly approached the group and began sounding his horn, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office told 11 Alive. Police stated that Ross accelerated around the group and, despite no oncoming traffic, struck two riders before fleeing the scene. The two injured cyclists received treatment at the scene for their injuries, according to the sheriff's office.
Injured cyclist Richard Collins told Atlanta News First that he was thrown from his bike and suffered soft tissue damage and road rash. 'Once I turned around, the vehicle was right on my left leg. Very easily, things could have gone worse,' Collins said. 'It's a lot of mass to take on asphalt. It never feels good to hit the deck on concrete. I'm very hopeful that within the next week, I'll be back on my bike.'
Investigation and Arrest
Officials tracked down the vehicle using footage captured by one of the cyclists, identifying Ross as the suspect. 'One cyclist riding behind the group captured the incident on video. The cyclists were also able to provide a tag number, which deputies used to quickly identify and locate the suspect,' the sheriff's office said. The cyclist who recorded the video, Joel Eaby, told local news that he felt Ross was becoming aggressive and decided to film. 'I happened to be the last person in our cycling group, and this guy was just laying on the horn,' he said. 'We know that sometimes getting stuck behind a group of cyclists can be an inconvenience, but that inconvenience usually only lasts a few minutes.'
Ross was located 'not far from the incident location' and police observed damage to the passenger side of the vehicle consistent with the incident. When questioned, Ross acknowledged the encounter and claimed the cyclists were in the roadway, blaming them for the collision. He was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault, hit and run, reckless driving, aggressive driving, and failure to maintain a safe distance from a bicycle. Records indicate he is being held at the Cherokee County Detention Center without bond. It is unclear when his next court appearance will be.
Community Response
The NGCA confirmed on Facebook that the incident involved its members and called on drivers to share the road. 'We are grateful to law enforcement and emergency services for their swift response and professionalism,' the group wrote. 'We encourage all road users to follow the rules of the road, stay alert, and respect one another. Sharing the road responsibly helps keep everyone safe.' The group added, 'We also encourage everyone to treat one another with care, patience and kindness - on and off the road. Most importantly, we are thankful that those involved made it home safely to their loved ones.'
