Ross's defense appears to be that cyclists shouldn't have been on the road — a common refrain from drivers who believe bikes don't belong. His attorney (if he gets one) may argue he's a confused elderly man being unfairly targeted by authorities for a minor traffic incident.
Sources close to the cycling community say this isn't an isolated incident — other riders have reported aggressive behavior from motorists on this same stretch of road. The North Georgia Cycling Association is reportedly furious and pushing for stricter enforcement against drivers who harass cyclists.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Ross followed the group for exactly 2 minutes before allegedly striking them with his Honda Pilot. Ride leader Richard Collins told reporters his lower spine was fractured after being hit — an injury confirmed by an orthopedist. Ross faces six charges total: hit-and-run, aggressive driving, and failing to maintain safe distance from a bicycle.
Six charges and a fractured spine for the victim, but Jerry Wayne Ross apparently found the whole thing amusing enough to crack a grin for his booking photo. Some people never learn that road rage has consequences.
The mug shot says it all: 72-year-old Jerry Wayne Ross grinning ear-to-ear like he just won the lottery instead of being processed for allegedly running down cyclists with his SUV. Cherokee County Sheriff's officials took custody of Ross last week after what started as aggressive driving escalated into something far more sinister — and caught on camera. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Ross had been tailing members of the North Georgia Cycling Association during a group ride, honking and following them for approximately two minutes before allegedly striking at least two riders with his Honda Pilot.
The ordeal was captured in news footage, showing the moment one cyclist went down after being clipped by Ross's vehicle as it sped away. Ride leader Richard Collins provided a chilling account of the attack to reporters. "I turned to my left to see, and at that moment that vehicle was on my left leg," Collins said, describing how he was knocked to the pavement.
The impact left him with road rash across his body and significant damage to his back — medical professionals later discovered his lower spine had been fractured. An orthopedist examined Collins following the incident, confirming the serious nature of his injuries. When sheriff's deputies tracked Ross down at a neighbor's house shortly after the alleged attack, he didn't show much remorse.
Instead, authorities say Ross blamed the bicyclists themselves for being in the road — a tired excuse that cycling advocates have long argued puts the burden on vulnerable riders instead of aggressive drivers. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office booked him on six charges including hit-and-run, aggressive driving, and failing to maintain a safe distance from a bicycle. The grinning mug shot has predictably gone viral, with social media users expressing disbelief that someone could smile after allegedly causing such harm. For the cycling community in North Georgia, this incident is about more than one driver's bad behavior — it's another example of the hostility and danger they face every time they share the road with motorists who view bicycles as obstacles rather than legitimate vehicles.
