Funeral service held for former area principal

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Wednesday, funeral services were held for a former Zanesville educator who was killed in an off-roading accident. Richard Smith spent 35-years as an educator, including four years as the principal at Bishop Rosecrans High School.

Sheriff Matt Lutz with the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office said the accident occurred on June 15 while 65-year-old Smith was riding as a passenger on an ATV near East Pike. The vehicle crashed, sending Smith to the hospital where he passed the next day from injuries.

The driver of the ATV was a juvenile and was uninjured. Sherriff Lutz said when riding off-road safety should always be a priority.

“We always encourage folks when they are involved in off-roading to try to be as careful as possible,” said Sheriff Lutz. “Always try to wear a helmet, always try to be buckled in. With summer time coming up these kinds of things are more likely to happen.”

Smith’s funeral was held Wednesday morning at Grace United Methodist Church.