An Acworth man initially charged with felony hit-and-run in connection with a crash that critically injured a 78-year-old bicyclist has had the most severe allegations dropped after further investigation. FOX 5 Atlanta reported that William James Abbott, 20, was arrested after a March 3 incident in which a silver or gray Nissan purportedly mounted the sidewalk on Towne Lake Parkway and struck the cyclist.
New evidence has surfaced, however, prompting the Cherokee Sheriff's Office to no longer pursue the hit-and-run charge against Abbott. Investigators have discovered indications that another vehicle may have been involved in the collision. As reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, multiple witnesses described seeing a silver car at the scene, and deputies later found a matching vehicle that had hit a fixed object.
While Abbott initially faced serious accusations, including tampering with evidence after he allegedly admitted to hiding his car's damaged bumper in the woods near the crash site, he now stands charged with reckless driving and using a wireless device while driving. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, the sheriff's office is actively seeking the other vehicle believed to have struck the bicyclist and fled the scene.
The original incident had local authorities and the community on edge, as detailed by Atlanta News First. The victim was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk when he was hit and subsequently rushed to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital with life-threatening injuries. "He was in custody within an hour and a half," said Capt. Jay Baker in a statement obtained by Atlanta News First, referring to the swift arrest of Abbott following the accident. Despite charges being amended, the search for the true perpetrator of the hit-and-run continues.
Abbott, who has been released on a $14,300 bond, reportedly told authorities he was texting his girlfriend when he accidentally drove onto the curb, a reminder of the dangers of distracted driving. The Cherokee Sheriff's Office has yet to identify the other involved vehicle or driver and urges anyone with information to come forward as the investigation persists.
