ATLANTA — A man who ran over a cyclist and dragged him 50 feet down an Atlanta street was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to reduced charges in Fulton County Superior Court.
Prosecutors say 20-year-old Joseph Lewis intentionally hit Greg Germani after the cyclist got into a prior dispute with the driver on Flagler Avenue in June 2014. Lewis left the scene and attempted to cover up damage to his SUV. He later turned himself in.
Germani, a 51-year-old employee of Turner Broadcasting, suffered numerous injuries, including a traumatic brain injury that requires around-the-clock medical attention. The victim's brother was among those who testified at the sentencing hearing.
"What was done to Greg is such an unforgivable act. The defendant could not have just kept going. He had to turn around and basically run Greg down and leave him for dead," his brother, John Germani, said.
The victim's fiancee told the court the victim needs hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical treatment and therapy to recover from the extensive injuries.
"The action of the defendant left Greg in a coma for five weeks. He suffered a severe, traumatic brain injury, broken vertebrae, ribs and a terrible road rash on his back. Greg will not return to work. Greg will not drive again. The impact of this crime is felt far and wide and it affects not just Greg, but his family and friends outraged by the nature of it," Beth Anne Harrell said.
Before his sentencing, Lewis said what happened was an accident. He admitted he should not have left the scene, and apologized to the victim and his family.
"I am truly sorry for everything; all the pain, the suffering that I have caused to his family. I really am," Lewis said.
Superior Court Judge Doris Downs sentenced Lewis to 15 years in prison.
"This is such a horrible, senseless and violent attack that you committed. I've been on the bench for 20 years and this is one of the saddest most senseless things I've ever seen," Downs said.
Afterward, the victim said it was important for him to be at the sentencing.
"I'm not feeling proud at all. But I'm happy and grateful that I have such good family and friends," Greg Germani said.