Bicyclist Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident on South Marietta Parkway

Update, 4 p.m.

Joseph Gathambyri, 25, of Marietta was riding a bicycle on South Marietta Parkway westbound when he was struck and killed from behind by a vehicle that then fled the scene, according to Marietta Police.

Through evidence studied on the scene and a tip to the Marietta Police Department investigators located a black 1994 Toyota Truck at a west Marietta residence believed to be involved in the incident.

Further investigation into this vehicle lead to the location and arrest of the driver, Damon Thomas Lautch, 27.

Lautch is being held at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center on charges of hit and run, DUI and 1st degree vehicular homicide.

Original Report, 12:40 p.m.

A bicyclist was killed in a hit-and-run accident on South Marietta Parkway Wednesday morning, according to the The Marietta Daily Journal and WSBTV and 11Alive. 

The bicyclist was struck by a vehicle near the Cobb Community Transit bus terminal on South Marietta Parkway.

The victim, Joseph "Deaf Joe" Gathambiri, was a native Kenyan. He worked at a Burger King in Marietta, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. 

South Marietta Parkway was shut down in both directions between Lake Drive and Aviation Road from around 5 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. while police investigated the incident.

The accident was the second fatal hit-and-run involving a bicyclist in Marietta in less than two weeks.

when he was struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle along Powder Springs Street.