15 injured in pedal pub crash in Atlanta; driver charged with DUI

ATLANTA (WGCL/Gray News) - The driver of a pedal pub that crashed has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence, the Atlanta Police Department said.

The driver was identified on Monday morning as James Anthony Johnson. In addition to the DUI, he was charged with a business permit violation.

The pedal pub, which is a mobile bar, tipped over while making a turn at West Peachtree Street and 14th Street NE in midtown Atlanta, authorities said.

It happened around 6:30 p.m. Saturday. According to the Atlanta Police Department, the pedal pub was apparently going too fast while trying to make the turn.

Atlanta Fire Rescue said 15 people were injured and taken to hospitals. Ten sustained minor injuries, three had serious injuries, and two had critical injuries, WGCL reported.

“The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department has a mobile ambulance. We call it MAV-1. ... We utilized that to transport 10 and Grady facilitated the transportation of the other five patients,” said Jason McLain, battalion chief for Atlanta Fire Rescue Department.

No other vehicles were involved.

WGCL’s legal analyst, Page Pate, says Georgia modifies its open container laws to allow these vehicles to operate - with some contingencies.

“The single most important requirement is that the driver does not have access to any alcohol,” she said.

Pate says because several people were hurt, this case isn’t closed yet.

“I’m almost certain there will be lawsuits or settlements,” she said.

The franchiser of the independently owned and operated pedal pubs around the country sent the following statement:

“The safety of our customers is our top priority, so we were shocked and saddened to learn of the situation involving one of the independently owned and operated franchises in Atlanta. Pedal Pub Development is thankful to the bystanders and first responders who rushed into action. We will continue to follow the updates involving the Atlanta franchise, keeping all those who are impacted in our thoughts and prayers.”

- Todd Treml, President of Pedal Pub Development, LLC