An older gentleman offered a cheeky grin for his booking photo following his arrest for a filmed hit-and-run incident involving a group of cyclists.
Jerry Wayne Ross, aged 72, is facing charges related to a hit-and-run involving his Honda Pilot. The entire episode, which took place on April 23 in Cherokee County, Georgia, was recorded on video, as reported by Fox 5 Atlanta.
The North Georgia Cycling Association was engaged in its routine Thursday night ride when a driver allegedly approached the group aggressively, in what is believed to be an episode of road rage.
Richard Collins, the group leader, recounted to Fox 5 Atlanta that a black SUV aggressively followed the cyclists, blaring its horn persistently.
“It was just over the top,” Collins shared with the news outlet. “There was no pause in the horn.”
The hit-and-run incident, captured on camera, involved a driver allegedly colliding with a cyclist during a group ride in Georgia on April 13. (WAGA-TV)
The incident was caught on camera as the black Honda Pilot allegedly struck the cyclists after the driver honked at them.
The group of cyclists, who fell after the clash, collided into the side of the SUV and fell onto the pavement.
“I turned to my left to see it at that moment that vehicle was on my left leg,” Collins said.
In the video, the vehicle speeds away.
Richard Collins, leader of a North Georgia Cycling Association group ride, told WAGA-TV that an aggressive driver followed the cyclists for two minutes while honking continuously. According to Collins, the vehicle’s side mirror clipped a cyclist behind him before striking Collins directly, knocking him from his bike. (WAGA-TV)
Collins said he sustained road rash on his shoulder, elbow and knee and was treated by paramedics who were called. He later visited an orthopedist who discovered a fracture of his lower spine.
Cherokee County Sheriff’s officials arrested 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.
“I just hope this experience will raise awareness to the rules of the road for cyclists and how drivers should allow for the 3 feet distance in safe passing,” Collins said.
Jerry Ross, 72, was taken into custody 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. (Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office)
In a statement, the North Georgia Cycling Association thanked law enforcement and emergency services for “their swift response and professionalism.”
“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 said.
“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.”
–>
