‘I didn’t know if he was alive’: Eyewitnesses recount crash involving Richmond principal

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The longtime principal of Mary Munford Elementary School, Gregory Muzik, remains hospitalized after he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle on Patterson Avenue late Tuesday afternoon. 8News spoke to multiple eyewitnesses, including the person who called 911.

According to eyewitnesses, the accident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12 in the 4400 block of Patterson Avenue, when Muzik veered slightly out of the bike lane and was rear-ended by a Ford Expedition.

"At first, when I came up to the scene, I didn't know if he was alive," said one eyewitness, who asked to remain anonymous. "I saw him kind of somersault [after being thrown off his bike] and, unfortunately, he ended up hitting the ground pretty hard. I ran over to him and called 911."

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The anonymous eyewitness said parents and students of Mary Munford were at the scene shortly after the accident, with some seeing their principal after he was hit.

"When I found out it was Greg Muzik -- you know, he was my kids' principal," said neighbor Cindy Anderson, who also saw the aftermath of the crash. "He is just known to be the greatest."

"They had added security," said Abby, a neighbor and incoming Mary Munford parent, of what the school did on Wednesday to help its students. "They had the superintendent there. They had people that were therapists that were offering extra support to the staff, and to the students, as well."

Abby, who also saw the crash, described Muzik's bike as "mangled."

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The incident has reignited concerns about road safety in the area.

Neighbors who know Muzik said he has long advocated for pedestrian and cyclist safety, even speaking at Richmond City Council meetings on the issue.

"People fly on this road," Anderson said.

The anonymous eyewitness agreed.

"The community really needs to do something about that," they said. "Especially being so close to a school like Mary Munford."

According to police, the driver of the car that hit Muzik remained at the scene following the crash. However, police have not yet confirmed if any charges will be filed.

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Muzik remains hospitalized at MCV as he recovers from his injuries. While they were considered life-threatening in the wake of the crash, police said he has since stabilized.

Anyone with information on this crash is asked to call the Richmond Police Department's crash team at 804-646-1369.