A quick ride on the Atlanta Beltline turned into a nightmare for Brooks Payne on Thursday when a vehicle slammed into him, sent him flying, and then kept going. Payne walked away with cuts and bruises and a deep gash on his leg, and he said his helmet likely kept things from being much worse. He told reporters the driver never stopped and that he believes he has identified the vehicle involved.
Video Shows The Crash
Video shared with 11Alive shows the moment Payne is struck at the Beltline crossing near Woodward Drive and Bill Kennedy Way by Madison Yards and violently tossed over his handlebars. In the clip, the vehicle continues through the crossing instead of stopping while nearby riders rush over to help. Payne has urged anyone who was in the area, has information, or captured additional video to contact police so investigators can track down the driver.
Other Crashes Fuel Safety Concerns
Collisions involving people and vehicles around Beltline corridors are not a new problem. Last fall, an autonomous Waymo vehicle collided with a cyclist, according to CBS Atlanta. More recently, hit-and-run incidents across the city have kept safety worries front and center for pedestrians and cyclists, as reported by Atlanta News First.
Police Response And Tips For Witnesses
Reporters said they contacted the Atlanta Police Department for information on the Beltline crash but had not received an update from investigators at the time of publication, according to 11Alive. The department lists a non-emergency phone line and an online portal where people can share tips and upload video; those options are available through the Atlanta Police Department. Investigators are asking anyone who has footage or information about the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run to come forward.
Riders Call For Safer Crossings
The crash has intensified calls from cyclists and nearby residents for clearer separation between trail users and vehicle traffic, along with tougher enforcement at busy, mixed-use crossings as Beltline crowds grow. Local coverage has highlighted how the Beltline has been undergoing major expansion and investment in recent years, making safety design for walkers and riders an urgent priority. For more on those projects, see reporting on the Beltline expansion plans.
