A Georgia USA man is behind bars after striking two cyclists participating in a group training ride on Sugar Pike Road in Cherokee County Thursday evening — the same road where a cyclist was killed six months ago.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the area of Sugar Pike Road and Gannt Road after reports that bicyclists had been hit by a motorist. Investigators say a group of ten cyclists were riding together when a driver approached from behind, began honking, then accelerated around the group. Despite no oncoming traffic, the driver struck two cyclists before fleeing the scene.
Both injured riders, whose names have not been released, suffered minor injuries and were treated on-site by paramedics.
The incident might have gone unsolved, but a cyclist riding behind the group captured the incident on video and provided a license plate 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, where investigators observed damage to the passenger side of his 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 charged with two counts of aggravated assault, hit-and-run, reckless driving, aggressive driving, and failure to maintain a safe distance. He remains in custody at the Cherokee County Detention Center without bond.
The location will be painfully familiar to Georgia’s cycling community. In October 2025, 51-year-old Carlos Moreno of Alpharetta was pronounced dead at the scene after a driver lost control on Sugar Pike Road, crossed both lanes of traffic, and struck him head-on. That driver, Lane William Keyes, was charged with seven crimes, including vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, and tampering with evidence.
Thursday’s incident marks the second time in six months that cyclists have been struck on the same stretch of road — renewing urgent calls for action by the county and state.
Photo Credit: Facebook/geoffat, CCSO
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