Bicyclist Hit By Truck In Cartersville

CARTERSVILLE, GA -- A man riding a bicycle along a busy highway was airlifted to an Atlanta hospital after he was hit by a truck Wednesday evening in Cartersville.

The Georgia State Patrol and Bartow County Emergency Medical Services both responded to the crash around 6:28 p.m. Dec. 28 on U.S. 41/Joe Frank Harris Parkway just north of Grassdale Road.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, the bicyclist, 38-year-old Troy Lee Magness of Cartersville, was traveling north on the highway on the right shoulder when he was hit from behind by a truck.

The vehicle, a 2013 Dodge Ram driven by Cartersvile resident Timothy Mack Bunch, 50, "failed to maintain his lane," left the roadway and struck the rear of the bike with the front part of the truck, GSP added.

Bartow County EMS spokesperson Brad Cothran said crews discovered the victim had a fractured leg, a possible head injury and other traumatic injuries.

Crews requested a medical helicopter, and established a landing zone at Bartow County College and Career Academy.

Cartersville fire personnel responded, and drove the patient by ambulance to the landing zone. He was flown to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta for treatment.

The Georgia State Patrol said Bunch, who was not injured in the collision, has been charged with failure to maintain lane, tire requirements, serious injury by vehicle, headlight requirements and driving under the influence.

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