Family And Friends Mourn Harris County Bicyclist

February 4, 2008

HARRIS COUNTY, Georgia -- Forty-seven year old Matthew "Scott" Matty was riding his bike on Highway 315 in Ellerslie Sunday, when a car hit him and his friend Jeffrey Davis.
"He was really friendly, easy to warm up to, very encouraging," said Matty's Friend, Matt Ragan.
On Sunday, Ragan, Matty, and other members of the Columbus Bike Racing team, were on an 85 mile training ride, from Ellerslie to Buena Vista.
"We had a five hour ride planned, and got about an hour or two into it, and he and Jeff had to turn around to take care of family obligations," said Ragan.
But on the ride home, tragedy struck.
Troopers say 17-year-old Rachel Griffin hit Matty and Jeffrey Davis's bikes on Highway 315, just outside the Ellerslie Place subdivision.
Matty died from his injuries. Davis was taken to the hospital, where he underwent surgery for multiple injuries.
Ragan says Matty and Davis always rode, with safety in mind.
Now he's asking drivers to be careful with cyclists on the road, so no one else has to lose a good friend.
"He was a real good buddy, and that's rare. We'll always be thinking about him," said Ragan.
No charges have been filed against the driver, Rachel Griffin.
Troopers say they are investigating the accident, but it could be a weeks before they finish.
Scott Matty's teammates say they're planning a type of memorial gesture, like adding an arm band to their jerseys.
They say the family is in the process of making funeral arrangments. Matty leaves behind a wife, and three daughters.

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