Family of Hit-and-Run Kennesaw Victim Calls for Justice

The family of a Kennesaw man who was struck by a car in a hit and run while riding his bicycle on June 22 is calling for justice.

Ryan Ellis, 57, was riding his bike northbound on Cobb Parkway that Saturday night while returning home after picking up dinner, according to family members. Cobb County police said at around 11:48 p.m., Ellis was rear-ended by a vehicle while riding on the shoulder of the right lane.

After Ellis came to rest in the right-hand-turn lane near Progressive Drive, police say the vehicle involved in the incident — believed to be a gray Toyota Tundra — drove off.

According to Ellis’ daughter, Erica Richardson, doctors say it is unclear how long Ellis was lying in the road before emergency services were called.

Ellis was taken to Kennestone Hospital with serious injuries and immediately went into emergency brain surgery.

According to Richardson, Ellis was only about five minutes away from his home when he was struck by the car. She said riding a bicycle or taking the bus are his only reliable forms of transportation.

Ever since the crash, the family has seen comments from social media users blaming Ellis for the results of the crash, saying he should not have been riding his bike late at night.

“I try not to respond, but it’s hard because they don’t know the outcome and they don’t understand that’s the way people get around,” she said.

Richardson, 27, of Lithia Springs, first heard about the crash the next day from her sister Cassandra, whose phone number was written on a piece of paper in Ellis’ pocket at the site of the crash.

The entire family — including Richardson’s two siblings and multiple cousins — was originally planning to get together this week to celebrate the Fourth of July. Now, they have been gathered around Ellis’ bedside for the past week sharing memories.

Richardson said the family does not expect him to recover. She said the family plans to take Ellis off life support Wednesday to give other family members enough time to say goodbye.

Richardson said the family plans to launch a GoFundMe page to help assist with funeral costs.

‘He really loves his family’

Originally, from Indiana, Ellis is a father to three and a grandfather to Richardson’s two children. One of his favorite passions is his love for all types of musical genres.

“Anytime you see him, you’ll see him singing,” Richardson said.

She also described her father as someone who loves being outside. A general contractor, she described Ellis as, “one of those people who has to stay busy.”

But no matter how busy he got, Richardson said he has always made time for his family.

For Richardson, one of her favorite things about her father is his lighthearted, playful personality.

“He’s the goofy one I can play around with. He loves to wrestle around with everyone even though he’s 57,” she said.

Another part of Ellis’ playful personality is his infectious sense of humor. Richardson said he gave everyone in the family nicknames: “Peanut” for her brother Eric, “Pumpkin” for her sister Cassandra. Richardson’s daughter has her own nickname for her grandfather: “Soulmate.”

“She’s been glued to him for forever. They are best friends,” Richardson said. “He really loves his family, and he is a really good grandfather.”

Investigation

Cobb Police are investigating the incident, but Richardson said they do not have much to go off of.

Richardson said police are looking at nearby security cameras for any possible leads. She said police told the family they followed up on a potential match for the vehicle, but it turned out to be a dead end.

Cobb Police told the MDJ they could not comment on the investigation as it is ongoing.

Ellis’ family is passing out flyers asking community members with any information about the crash to come forward to police.

“Somebody has to know something. It’s going to take just the one person to come forward,” Richardson said.

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact the Cobb County Police Department at 770-499-3987.

As for the driver who caused the crash, Richardson said all the family wants is accountability.

“We understand accidents happen, we’re not evil people,” Richardson said. “We just want you to be accountable for the fact that you left my dad in the road without doing anything to help.”