DeKalb County Solicitor Sherry Boston will not file charges in the April 30 wreck that killed bicyclist Paul Taylor on North Decatur Road.
In a statement released about 5:45 p.m., Boston said.
While our deepest sympathy goes out to the family of the bicyclist who died in this accident, we have determined at this time, there is no evidence to file any criminal charges against the driver of the vehicle.
Decatur Police conducted a comprehensive investigation that was reviewed by investigators at both our office and the Georgia State Patrol.
All three agencies came to the same conclusion -- that there was no evidence to form the basis of a criminal charge, and no witnesses have come forward to supply any further information about what happened in this unfortunate accident.
Decatur police said Jorge Mercado-Perez, 58, of Snellville was driving a 2004 Ford Ranger truck that struck and killed Taylor, 53, on North Decatur Road, near the intersection with Willivee Drive.
Police said there were no witnesses to the 6:20 a.m. wreck. No charges were filed against Mercado-Perez, who told officers "the bicyclist appeared to be kneeling in the roadway as if he had fallen." An autopsy report could not confirm or challenge his statement.
Taylor's wife of 16 years, Barbara Taylor, told Patch in an email that she was "disappointed" by the decision but made no other comment.
The death upset the Atlanta biking community, which has complained motorists fail to show bicyclists proper respect on the road. Memorial rides have been held for Taylor and a "ghost bike" placed near the site of the wreck.
Paul Taylor was well known in the community as a youth soccer coach "boss hog" of the annual barbecue at Oak Grove United Methodist Church.
He was a fitness buff who'd run marathons and competed in triathlons. Barbara Taylor thinks he got up early that morning for a training ride.
He'd worked decades as a physician's assistant for Emory. On the Monday he died, Taylor was going to start a new job in the medical affairs department of a Smyrna pharmaceutical company, his wife said.
Patch telephoned Mercado-Perez's home in Snellville but the man who answered the telephone had trouble understanding English.
He had a run-in with Snellville police recently. About 9 p.m. Sept. 1, Mercado-Perez was charged with driving under the influence, failure to maintain lane, driving on the wrong side of the roadway and driving in the gore area -- all classified as misdemeanors.
He was released from the Gwinnett County Jail the next day. Police said he was driving a 1994 Ford Ranger pickup truck.
Other stories about Paul Taylor:
Bicylist identified as Paul Taylor.
'Ride of Silence' to honor Paul Taylor.
Driver said bicylist appeared to be kneeling in the road.
Autopsy unclear on whether bicyclist was kneeling in the road.