Man charged after bicyclist killed in Spalding County hit-and-run

Benjamin Tyshawn Akins was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide in a Saturday hit-and-run in Spalding County.

Benjamin Tyshawn Akins was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide in a Saturday hit-and-run in Spalding County.

A man is behind bars after a bicyclist was struck and killed by a car Saturday night on a Spalding County road, officials said.

Benjamin Tyshawn Akins, 46, was arrested Sunday and has been charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, felony hit-and-run, hit-and-run, DUI, suspended license, safe distance for passing a bicycle and following too closely, according to Georgia State Patrol spokesperson Konswello Monroe. Akins is being held at the Spalding County jail.

Troopers with the GSP’s Griffin post found the victim shortly before midnight in the 300 block of Vineyard Road. The bicyclist, 59-year-old Richard Franklin Miley, was dead at the scene. He was wearing a reflective vest when he was struck.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Miley was traveling west when Akins, also traveling west, hit him with his silver Toyota, Monroe said.

The GSP is the leading agency investigating the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact 770-229-3410 or the sheriff’s office at 770-467-4282.