The Fernandina Beach City Manager is asking the community for understanding following an incident where he wrecked his bicycle following an evening of drinking downtown.
Although the name of the person involved has been redacted from a report from the Fernandina Beach Police Department, City Manager Ty Ross told the News-Leader it was him who wrecked his bicycle on Atlantic Avenue on Oct. 29. He said someone placed a call to 911 after the wreck.
The police report said officers had “been advised a young man with a bicycle laying in the grass.” The officers checked on the man’s wellbeing, the report said, and gave him a ride home. There is no mention of intoxication in the redacted report. However, Ross said he had been drinking that evening.
“I am writing to you today with a heavy heart, filled with sincere remorse and regret for my actions on the evening of Oct. 29,” Ross said in a statement. “As your City Manager, I hold myself to the highest standards of conduct, and my behavior that night fell far short of those standards.”
Ross described his accident.
“Around 7 p.m., I had a bicycle accident on Atlantic Avenue,” Ross said. “I fell pretty hard and messed up my bike. The accident bent up the handlebars and scratched up the paint job. I also hurt my wrist but sustained no permanent damage. Bad day obviously. The police responded to a call for aid and gave me a ride home.”
Ross goes on to say he had been drinking.
“This probably would not have happened had I not had too many drinks downtown that afternoon,” he said. “The whole thing was scary because I wasn’t wearing a helmet, and I could have been injured badly. Fortunately, I wasn’t. The only lasting injury is to my pride, as I am deeply embarrassed. I humbly ask for your forgiveness and understanding. I am committed to earning back your trust and serving our community with the integrity and responsibility that you deserve.”
jroberts@newsleader.com
Fernandina City Manager, Ty Ross. File photo