Depending on the circumstances surrounding each case, the charge of vehicular homicide in Georgia may be either a felony or a misdemeanor. Misdemeanor vehicular homicide may be charged when a driver speeds, causes an accident, and without malice or forethought, kills someone. On the other hand, felony vehicular homicide may be charged if the person was driving recklessly at the time of the accident. The driver may also be charged with the felony if they were intoxicated, attempting to pass a school bus, evading police, or committing a hit-and-run accident. It is ultimately up to the prosecutor which charges the driver will face.
The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reports that an Atlanta man has been indicted on vehicular homicide charges in a fatal Marietta accident.
Last Thursday, a grand jury indicted William Brandon Headen on one count of vehicular homicide in the first degree and serious injury by vehicle. Both charges are felonies.
Marietta police reported that a 1994 Ford F-150 pickup truck was disabled and parked in the gore between the Canton Road connector on-ramp to Interstate 75 South. A 2000 Chevrolet Silverado which was pulling a trailer was parked in front of the disabled truck, attempting to load the vehicle onto the trailer.
Headen was driving a 2016 Hyundai Sonata and attempting to pass slower-moving traffic by veering into the gore area in an unlawful passing move. He rear-ended the Ford truck.
Ricky Bradford, who was navigating the Ford onto the trailer, was ejected from the vehicle. After the truck detached from the Sonata, it struck Larry Bradford. All three men were taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital.
Ricky Bradford’s condition began to worsen, and he died on August 11th.
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