RICHMOND, Va. — A Richmond school principal is recovering after being struck by a driver while walking in a crosswalk, and a local advocacy group says the incident is part of a dangerous and growing pattern on city streets.
The principal of Franklin Military Academy, David Hudson, was hit by a car just before 9 p.m. on Blakemore Road, near Lucille Brown Middle School. Hudson is expected to be okay.
A driver was charged with failure to yield in connection with the crash. According to police, the driver was traveling south on Westover Drive and was attempting to make a left-hand turn onto Blakemore Road when Hudson was struck in the crosswalk.
Richmond Public School Superintendent Jason Kamras stated, "We’re wishing Col. Hudson, the principal of Franklin Military Academy, a speedy recovery after he was struck by a vehicle last week. You’re in our thoughts, sir.”
Brantley Tyndall, the director of Sports Backers' Bike Walk RVA — a program that promotes pedestrian and cyclist safety — said the incident reflects a troubling citywide trend.
"Hard not to be frustrated by the reality that traffic fatalities and pedestrian fatalities continue to trend in the wrong direction in the city of Richmond," Tyndall said.
Tyndall has lived in Richmond for nearly two decades and says the change is undeniable.
"Driving has just gotten crazier. Reckless driving, distracted driving, it feels more common now than it ever did before," Tyndall said.
Since the start of January of this year, there have been at least 5 pedestrian collisions in Richmond. 3 of them have been deadly. In 2025, 13 pedestrians were killed on Richmond roadways — one more than Fairfax County, a larger locality with a higher population, according to DMV data.
While the city's goal is to eliminate all traffic deaths by 2030, advocates say community voices are critical because behind every statistic is a life lost — and a tragedy that was preventable.
Tyndall said the path forward requires both infrastructure improvements and stronger enforcement.
"We can overturn this trend by fixing our infrastructure and fixing our enforcement. Our streets simply allow speeding, and they allow for people to feel like they are comfortable driving distracted," Tyndall said.
Making roads safer requires multiple approaches, Tyndall added, including protected bike lanes, more visible crosswalks and better street lighting. Advocates say community involvement in roadway safety initiatives starts with residents participating in planning efforts aimed at improving pedestrian safety.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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