04/26/2026
Unfortunately, people following this page are not the ones who need to read this story. Please share with everyone you know. The cyclists were 100% within their rights. Under Georgia law, we may ride two abreast. We are not required to ride on the shoulder. Motorists MUST allow at least three feet while passing and MAY cross the yellow line to do so. If it’s not safe to do so, wait a few seconds. If those few seconds will make you late to a job interview, you didn’t allow enough time to begin with. It’s better for you to be late than for us to be dead.
VIDEO: Georgia Driver Facing Multiple Charges after Deliberately Hitting Cyclists
A Woodstock man is facing multiple charges after deputies say he struck two cyclists and left the scene last Thursday evening in Cherokee County, GA.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the area of Sugar Pike Road and Gannt Road after receiving reports that bicyclists had been hit by a motorist.
Investigators say a group of 10 cyclists was riding together when a driver approached from behind, began honking, and then accelerated around the group. Despite no oncoming traffic, the driver struck two cyclists before leaving the scene. Both injured riders suffered minor injuries and were treated on-site by paramedics.
Geoff Coggins a cyclist riding at the back of the group captured the incident on video and provided a tag number, which helped deputies quickly identify the suspect.
Deputies later located the driver, identified as 72-year-old Jerry Wayne Ross of Woodstock, at a nearby home. Investigators observed damage to the passenger side of the vehicle consistent with the crash. When questioned, Ross acknowledged the encounter but claimed the cyclists were in the roadway and blamed them for the collision.
Ross 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. "Ross remains in custody at the Cherokee County Detention Center without bond," Captain Jay Baker said.
Geoff Coggins said "This occurred on a local bike ride in Milton/Cherokee County last night on a country road a few miles from my house. We are just cyclists trying to get some fitness and have some fun, and would love nothing more than to arrive home to our families in one piece.
We have an equal right to the road as cars and other motorized vehicles, and (most of us) obey all traffic laws. Thankfully someone had a bike camera and filmed this incident, but this happens all too often to us and the drivers are never brought to justice. The 72 year old handicapped driver (!) is named Jerry Ross and is currently sitting in Cherokee County jail with multiple felony charges and no bond.
Please please please give us 3 feet of space per the law, don't pass us if it is unsafe or illegal to do so, don't honk your horn to startle us, and don't flick us off or yell obscenities at us. We are your friends, neighbors, and coworkers. We're just regular folks trying to arrive home alive. McDonald's will still have plenty of fries if you arrive 30 seconds later than you planned"
Link to video: https://www.granfondoguide.com/Contents/IndexFull/9131/video-georgia-driver-facing-multiple-charges-after-deliberately-hitting-cyclists
