Friday night, a black Ford F-150 struck a Douglas man riding a bicycle in the lefthand lane of Georgia Highway 135 just south of the Seventeen Mile River. The man on the bicycle, identified as Elester Johnson, 25, passed away Saturday afternoon due to injuries sustained in the accident.
According to an accident report obtained from the Georgia State Patrol, the F-150, driven by Willis Ryan Aycock, 20, of West Green, was traveling north on 135 (also Highway 221/West Green Highway) in the lefthand lane. Johnson was riding a bicycle in the same direction in the same lane. The report states that Aycock attempted to avoid hitting the bike “by steering the vehicle to the left.” The maneuver was unsuccessful and the F-150 struck the bike. The bike traveled nearly 30 feet from the area of impact. The report states that Johnson traveled almost 56 more feet. Both Johnson and his bike were in the lefthand lane of 135.
The report also states this regarding the bicycle: “The bicycle appeared to have been pieced together using parts from several different bicycles. The only reflector observed was one in the rear wheel. The rider was wearing dark shorts and a dirty t-shirt with no lights in the front or rear of the bicycle and was not wearing a helmet. There were also no street lights on S.R. 135.”
According to the report, Aycock said he saw something in the road and tried to avoid it by swerving into the turn lane. A witness in a vehicle behind Aycock’s said he saw the F-150 swerve to avoid something in the road.
The report states that Aycock submitted to drug and alcohol tests following the accidents. According to the report, results of the tests are still pending.
Johnson was transported to CRMC, where he was later transferred to Savannah Memorial. He passed away shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday.