A man critically injured in a crash has died, and the driver suspected of causing the wreck faces homicide and other charges, Marietta police said Thursday.

Ricky Bradford, 64, died Sunday, nearly two weeks after a vehicle hit him July 31 on the Canton Road Connector’s entrance ramp to I-75 South, according to department spokesman Officer Jared Rakestraw.

Police said a Ford F-150 was stopped in the gore area between the connector’s entrance ramp and the interstate due to a mechanical issue. Bradford and his brother were trying to load the truck onto a trailer when a 2016 Hyundai Sonata, driven by 29-year-old William B. Headen, improperly passed slower moving traffic, police said.

“Headen unlawfully entered the gore area preparing to merge onto I-75 South,” Rakestraw said. “After entering the gore, Headen’s vehicle collided with the rear bumper area of the F-150.”

Ricky Bradford died Sunday, 11 days after this July 31 crash at the Canton Road Connector’s entrance ramp to I-75 South.

Credit: Marietta Police Department

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Credit: Marietta Police Department

Bradford, who was partially in the truck, was thrown from it. His brother, identified as 60-year-old Larry Bradford, was in front of the F-150 at the time of the crash and hit by the truck. Both men were taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to police. The brother’s current status is not known.

Headen was taken to the same hospital with minor injuries.

In addition to first-degree vehicular homicide and serious injury by vehicle, both felonies, Headen faces multiple misdemeanor charges, including improper lane change, driving through a gore, improper passing, following too closely and reckless driving.

Police ask anyone with additional information about the crash to call 770-794-5352.

In other news:

Police said a $23,000 reward apparently has helped lead to a major break in this case, possibly an arrest.

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