He was the most unexpected neighbor in Peachtree City—an alligator living peacefully among golf carts and greenways.
And now he’s gone.
Flat Creek Floyd—named for the winding creek where he was most often seen sunning himself—died early Tuesday morning morning after being hit by a car.
It happened just after 1:30 a.m. along Highway 74, near the Wilshire Publix. Witnesses say Floyd was crossing the road when a vehicle struck him. That driver never stopped.
By the time authorities arrived, Floyd was critically injured. After consulting with wildlife experts, officers with Peachtree City Police and Animal Control made the call. He was euthanized on the scene.
It was the last chapter in the story of a wild animal that somehow became a civic mascot.
Over the years, Floyd sightings had become routine—at the creek, on the cart paths, and occasionally in someone’s yard. He never harmed a soul. And residents knew the drill: snap a picture, give him space, and move on.
Floyd’s appearances even sparked a running joke online—half “Where’s Waldo,” half neighborhood watch. Social media groups tracked his movements. Golfers paused their swings when he passed. For many, he was a living reminder that Peachtree City wasn’t as tame as it looked.
City officials say this is the first known incident involving Floyd and a vehicle. His movements were seasonal, his pace slow, and his reputation calm.
But on a dark stretch of road in the early morning hours, even the most famous reptile in town wasn’t safe.
Animal control officials say Floyd was likely 7 to 8 feet long and could have been as old as 30. Alligators aren’t common in this part of Georgia, but experts say it’s not unheard of for one to migrate up from southern waterways, especially in wet years.
Floyd stayed put. And for the most part, so did everyone else.
In lieu of flowers, the city is encouraging residents to make a donation to the Fayette County Animal Shelter, which continues to support the health and safety of both domestic animals and displaced wildlife.
Flat Creek Floyd didn’t ask for attention. He just lived his life—in the slow, sun-soaked way that alligators do.
But for a little while, he was part of ours.
And in Peachtree City, that made him family.
🛑 🛑 🛑
Before You Dismiss This Article…
We live in a time when information feels overwhelming, but here’s what hasn’t changed: facts exist whether they comfort us or not.
When A&W launched their third-pound burger to compete with McDonald’s Quarter Pounder in the 1980s, it failed spectacularly. Not because it tasted worse, but because customers thought 1/3 was smaller than 1/4. If basic math can trip us up, imagine how easily we can misread complex news.
The press isn’t against you when it reports something you don’t want to hear. Reporters are thermometers, not the fever itself. They’re telling you what verified sources are saying, not taking sides. Good reporting should challenge you — that’s literally the job.
Next time a story makes you angry, pause. Ask yourself: What evidence backs this up? Am I reacting with my brain or my gut? What would actually change my mind? And most importantly, am I assuming bias just because the story doesn’t match what I hoped to hear.
Smart readers choose verified information over their own comfort zone.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
