ATLANTA — We are learning more information about the moments that led to a “pedal pub” flipping over in Midtown Atlanta, injuring 15 people.
Body cam footage showed the moment Atlanta police officers arrived to find people injured. Four of the riders had serious injuries.
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“That literally could have been us,” pedal pub customer Andresha Tribune said.
Tribune was just on one of the party bikes in March for a birthday party and said the man behind the steering wheel was the same person arrested Saturday for allegedly driving under the influence.
“He was very great. He was very humble, he made sure that we were safe at all times. So I just really hate that that happened,” she said.
Police arrested 28-year-old James Johnson and accused him of driving drunk and steering the pedal pub into a tree.
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As the pub was turned over on its side, bodycam video shows witnesses rushing to help get the bike back on its wheels.
Tribune said the ride did not have seatbelts to keep riders in place – you simply peddle.
However, anyone who consents to riding the pedal pub must sign a waiver beforehand acknowledging that injury could be a possibility.
According to Attorney Jeb Butler of the Butler Law Firm, the waiver can be thrown out due to gross negligence.
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“With the driver of the pedal pub drinking, we are pretty clearly at that gross negligence standard, which means that the waiver shouldn’t apply,” Butler said.
Pedal Pub was also cited by APD due to operating without a sight-seeing license.
“You’re looking at an owner who didn’t have the right permits and a driver who is drinking on the job. I mean, you tell me whether there’s going to be enough insurance or assets. At this point, nobody knows,” he said.
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