Fernandina Beach city manager resigns ahead of meeting to address bicycle crash where he admitted he’d been drinking

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – Fernandina Beach City Manager Ty Ross resigned from his position Friday, according to city officials.

Ross’ resignation comes just before a special meeting that was expected to be held next week to address a bicycle crash involving Ross back in October where he admitted he had been drinking.

RELATED | Fernandina Beach city manager apologizes after admitting he’d been drinking when he crashed bicycle

Fernandina Beach police released body camera video from the incident earlier this month (press play below to watch).

The police department then drove him home and never performed a field sobriety test. The police department said the officer on scene determined there were no reportable criminal charges.

The crash happened less than two months after Ross was hired as the new Fernandina Beach city manager.

The incident was discovered after the Fernandina Beach News-Leader wrote about it in late November, and the Fernandina Observer reported on Ross’ emotional response.

That lengthy apology was delivered at a meeting last week.

“I overdid it. I goofed. I thought I was being responsible by not driving a motorized vehicle and riding my bicycle. That did not work out for me. I apologize,” Ross said.

After the news came out, several residents called for Ross to resign from his position.

According to city officials, they have appointed Deputy City Manager/Engineer Charles L. George, P.E., as interim city manager effective Saturday.