Annapolis High School Assistant Track Coach Struck, Killed While Bike Riding
DAVIDSONVILLE, Md. (WJZ)—An Anne Arundel County track coach dies in a traffic accident while riding her bike. It happened near Riva and Beards Point roads in Davidsonville.
Christie Ileto has more.
Debris blankets part of Riva Road and Beards Point in Davidsonville on Friday.
Police say Annapolis High's assistant track coach Patricia Cunningham fatally collided with a van this week.
"It's a tragedy no matter how you look at the situation," said Justin Mulcahy, Anne Arundel County Police. "It's tragic whenever we have a death on our roads."
Police say both the 50-year-old and a driver in a car were traveling southbound on Riva Road when the accident happened. It's unclear how the crash happened, but officers say the driver remained at the scene until emergency crews arrived.
"The van was behind the bicyclist. Apparently, at some point it tried to pass and then there was contact made," Mulcahy said.
The school district says Cunningham had been at the school since 2011, and even though fall classes haven't started, breaking the news to the team was tough.
"Anytime you have to tell young students news like that, it's very, very, very difficult, especially when you're trying to come to grips with the shock yourself," said Bob Mosier, Anne Arundel County Schools.
Staff is providing counselors for students to get through this upsetting time.
As for next week, there will be one less familiar face returning for the first day of school.
Police say the case remains under investigation, but speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the accident.
