- Jerry Wayne Ross, 72, allegedly drove into a group of cyclists during a road-rage incident in Canton, Georgia.
- The April 23 collision left cyclist Richard Collins with serious spinal injuries, including a fractured spine.
- Ross was charged with aggravated assault and hit-and-run after fleeing the scene of the incident.
CANTON, GEORGIA — Jerry Wayne Ross, a 72-year-old motorist, allegedly drove his Honda Pilot into a group of cyclists during a road-rage incident. The April 23 collision in Cherokee County was caught on camera and left one rider with a serious spinal injury.
Jerry Wayne Ross flashed a smile in his booking photo after being charged with two counts of aggravated assault and hit-and-run.
A Mile-Long Conflict
The North Georgia Cycling Association was on its weekly Thursday night ride along Sugar Pike Road when the conflict began. According to witnesses, Ross followed the group for nearly two miles while blasting his horn. Richard Collins, the leader of the group, described the noise as excessive and relentless.
Richard Collins sustained road rash on his shoulder, elbow, and knee before later learning he had a fractured lower spine.
The Collision and Escape
Video footage shows the moments when the Honda Pilot accelerated alongside the leading pack. Jerry Wayne Ross allegedly struck Collins with the passenger side mirror, causing the cyclists to become tangled and crash. Instead of stopping to help the injured riders, the vehicle sped away from the scene.
Both cyclists were treated by paramedics at the scene immediately following the crash.
Arrest and Denial
Deputies from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office found Jerry Wayne Ross hiding at a neighbor’s house shortly after the incident. They noticed damage on his SUV that was consistent with hitting a bicycle. While Ross admitted he saw the cyclists, he denied hitting them and blamed the riders for being in the middle of the road.
Jerry Wayne Ross remains in the Cherokee County Jail with a total bond set at $24,540.
For more cases related to road rage incidents and shocking hit-and-run crashes, check out our video here:
