Q: A recent AJC featured an article about bicyclists versus motorists. In that light, what is the status of the case a couple of years ago, when a bicyclist was deliberately run over by a driver? I know the driver was arrested later, but what is the status of that case?
—Darryl Weaver, Atlanta
A: Joseph Alan Lewis was sentenced to 15 years in prison in October 2015 for hitting cyclist Greg Germani with his SUV in June 2014.
Police arrested Lewis about a month after the incident in Atlanta’s Morningside neighborhood.
Lewis pleaded guilty to several charges, including serious injury by vehicle, hit and run, criminal damage to property in the first degree, tampering with evidence, reckless driving, failure to report an accident, driving without a valid license and expired or no license-plate decal, the AJC reported.
Charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault were dropped.
Germani routinely rode his bike to his job as a program edit supervisor at Turner Broadcasting System for 20 years, the AJC reported.
Witnesses said Lewis and Germani had a verbal confrontation at the intersection of Flagler Avenue and Montgomery Ferry Drive. Following the exchange, Germani rode away.
Prosecutors said Lewis, who was in an SUV, hit Germani’s bike and dragged him for about 50 feet, the AJC reported.
Lewis said it was an accident, but admitted he left the scene.
Germani suffered serious injuries, and in September 2015, was featured in the AJC’s Personal Journeys, which can be read here: specials.myajc.com/the-new-normal/.
Andy Johnston with Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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