Atlanta Police identify man hit, killed by APD patrol car

ATLANTA - Authorities have released the name of a moped driver who died Wednesday after being hit by an Atlanta Police officer.

The man has been identified as Marvin King, 60, of Atlanta.

King was hit around 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Newcastle and Washington Place NW.  The Georgia State Patrol said the officer, Ryan Chandler, 24, ran a stop sign and did not have his emergency lights or sirens on when he struck King. 

According to Atlanta Police, Chandler has been with the department for two years.  He has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

Cell phone video given to FOX 5 shows Chandler's patrol car ended up in a neighbor's yard after the crash.  

"I heard a very loud and thunderous crash [...] There was a gentleman laying in the street. He seemed to be non-responsive," said Bill Cannon, president of the Booker T. Washington Neighborhood Association.

Witnesses said they saw officers try to perform CPR on King in the roadway.  GSP said he was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the man who lost his life in this tragic accident," the Atlanta Police Department said in a statement to FOX 5 on Thursday. "We are deeply sorry for their loss."  

GSP investigators said their investigation into the crash remains open. 

People who knew King said he was a kind and generous neighbor who would always lend a helping hand, especially to the elderly people in the area.  

"Marvin had a very playful, fun, loving spirit.  Everybody loved him around here," said Sherry Harris, who grew up around the corner from King in the Westview community. "He'd always honk, you know if he'd see us out and about."

Harris said King loved his scooter and was very conscious of his safety while riding.  Investigators, though, said he was not wearing a helmet at the time of Wednesday's accident. 

Family members did not want to speak about what happened.  

"They are taking it hard," Harris explained. 

RELATED: Moped driver hit by APD officer identified as Atlanta man