A 53-year-old Marietta man critically injured in a hit-and-run outside his home has died, and the driver considered responsible has been re-arrested, police said Tuesday.
Marietta police upgraded charges against Santos Rosalio Vicente-Ramos to include first-degree vehicular homicide in the death of Robert Morrison, a police spokesman confirmed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Morrison died from his injuries Monday afternoon.
On June 18, neighbors found the man seriously injured and called 911 just after 11 p.m., police previously said. Neighbors said Morrison had been doing yard work and was wearing a reflective vest when he was hit in in front of his home on Wright Street.
Morrison was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital for treatment of numerous broken bones, including a broken leg, arm, neck, and ribs, according to police.
Days later, Vicente-Ramos, 22, of Kennesaw, was arrested on charges of hit-and-run and serious injury by vehicle, both felonies, according to Officer Chuck McPhilamy, Marietta police spokesman. Investigators credited old-fashioned police work and technology with identifying Vicente-Ramos.
Vicente-Ramos admitted he’d been drinking alcohol before he hit a man on Wright Street late Saturday, McPhilamy said in an emailed statement.
“Investigators were able to locate Vicente-Ramos using evidence collected at the scene, coupled with the license plate reader camera technology throughout the county,” he said.
After his first arrest, Vicente-Ramos posted $25,000 bond and was released from the Cobb County jail, booking records showed. He was booked back into the jail Tuesday morning, McPhilamy said.
Morrison was an active member of the community, attending city council meetings and supporting the Marietta High School basketball and football teams, McPhilamy said.
“He will be sorely missed,” McPhilamy said.
Marietta City Councilmember Johnny Walker told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he had known Morrison at least 35 years. The two spoke frequently, with Walker dubbing Morrison “the mayor of Wright Street” for all of his efforts to improve the community.
Morrison was the primary caregiver for his mother, Martha, according to a GoFundMe page created by Morrison’s sister. He was on disability due to prior medical conditions, his sister said.
Two days after Morrison was injured, a team from First Baptist Church of Marietta and neighbors volunteered time to complete repairs and yard work at Morrison’s home, located in the city’s historic district.
On Tuesday, Morrison’s sister shared that he had died from his injuries.
“We know he heard, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant,’ when he entered into Heaven and saw Jesus,” Susan Caldwell posted online. “God has made him whole again and he is no longer in pain!”
Funeral arrangements were pending.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
About the Author
