Kennesaw Bicyclist Struck in Hit-and-Run Dies

Ryan Ellis, a Kennesaw hit-and-run victim , died Wednesday afternoon after succumbing to his injuries, his family said. He was 57.

“Unfortunately, yesterday July 3rd, our daddy got his angel wings,” Ellis’ daughter, Erica Richardson, said in a post on Facebook. “We appreciate all of the love, support, thoughts and prayers from so many people.”

According to police, Ellis was riding his bicycle northbound on Cobb Parkway June 22 when he was struck by a car at around 11:48 p.m. while riding on the shoulder of the right lane. After rear-ending Ellis, the suspect drove off, police believe, in a gray Toyota Tundra.

Ellis was only five minutes away from his home after taking his bike out to pick up dinner, according to Richardson. Riding a bike or taking the bus were Ellis’ only reliable forms of transportation, Richardson said.

After lying in the road for an unspecified amount of time, Ellis was taken to Kennestone Hospital. He suffered serious brain injuries and multiple fractures to his ribs, hip, and right leg, according to his family.

Cobb County police told the MDJ the vehicle involved in the crash has been located, but the investigation regarding who is responsible continues.

Richardson called the news promising and said she hopes it will soon lead to an arrest.

“It was a relief but still not having the driver’s side was kind of hard,” Richardson said. “(It) shows the police are working on it, (and) it’s not going to just go away.”

The family was originally planning to gather this week to celebrate the Fourth of July, Ellis’ favorite holiday. Now, they have gathered to make funeral arrangements for a beloved family member.

Ellis’ family has launched a GoFundMe page to help assist with funeral costs.

“...those funds will be put towards us being able to give him a memorial service to honor his life as best as we can as we were not anticipating his passing so soon,” Richardson said.

The GoFundMe page is titled “Justice for Ryan: Hit-and Run Bicycle Accident Fundraiser” and has a $5,000 goal. As of today, the fundraiser has received $1,635 in donations.

Richardson said the family would like to hold a memorial service for Ellis at the crash site. She said they plan to plant a cross on the side of the road and hold a balloon release in his honor.

The service will potentially be held July 20, but no plans have been confirmed. Richardson said the public would be more than welcome to attend.

“We’ve gotten so many people who have reached out with prayers and condolences,” Richarson said. “If they wanted to come and show support, we would love that.”

Ellis was beloved by his family for his goofy personality and his playful nicknames he gave to family members. Richardson said her regular phone calls with her father are what she will miss the most.

“Just (getting) the phone calls, and hearing him being really supportive, and hearing our nicknames from him…you just want to hear him call one more time,” she said.

Richardson’s daughter had an especially close relationship with her grandfather, often calling him her “soulmate.” Upon hearing the news of her grandfather’s passing, she had a special message for her mother.

“She told me he lives in her heart,” Richardson said. “We talk about how Jesus lives in our hearts, and now she tells me, ‘Grandpa lives in my heart too.”

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

Donations to the family’s GoFundMe page can be made atgofundme.com/f/justice-for-RyanEllis.