Bicyclist charged with battery of road worker at Chickamauga Battlefield

Rangers say 69 year old rode into a construction zone and into one of the workers

FORT OGLETHORPE, Georgia (WDEF) – Park Rangers have charged a 69 year old bicyclist after a confrontation inside the Chickamauga Battlefield.

They say the Ringgold man rode his bicycle into a construction zone, hit a worker and then attacked him.

Park rangers interviewed three witnesses and reviewed phone video of the incident in July.

They determined that the man rode into an active work zone with construction workers in reflective vests trying to stop him.

They say he actually ran his bicycle into one of the workers, causing the bicycle to fall over.

Then the man stood up and pepper sprayed the construction worker in the face.

They say he also lunged at him with a stun gun.

The rangers collected the two weapons from the man and charged him with simple battery.

In a news release, park officials say “Park rangers have issued multiple federal and state citations for bicyclists riding around barricades during the park’s major road construction over the last few months. For the safety of both visitors and workers in the area, visitors are required to stay out of the closed areas during their visits while the ongoing road projects continue.”