Gwinnett Man Gets Prison Time For Intentionally Striking Cyclist

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A Gwinnett County man is going to prison for intentionally striking a cyclist with his vehicle after an argument.

Harry James Kearse, Jr., 52, was sentenced to a year in prison, and another nine years on probation, after being convicted in Gwinnett County Superior Court this week on charges of aggravated assault and aggressive driving.

According to evidence, Kearse's victim, Jimmy Scott, was riding his bicycle on April 21, 2014 alongside Boggs Road, near Old Norcross Road in Duluth.

While he was riding on a sidewalk, Kearse pulled out of a business and blocked his path.

Scott and Kearse began to argue and Kearse pulled his vehicle over to confront Scott.

First, Kearse opened his trunk and began looking for a weapon to strike Scott with, but couldn't find anything.

Scott started riding his bike on Boggs Road again, at which point Kearse intentionally drove off of the roadway, striking Scott.

Kearse then left the scene, but a witness who saw the altercation got his vehicle's tag number.

Scott sustained an injury to his leg, according to the Gwinnett County district attorney's office.