Merced elementary school principal in critical condition after crash

The principal of John Muir Elementary School was in critical condition Wednesday after suffering major injuries the night before when he was thrown from his bicycle while trying to avoid a collision on West Yosemite Avenue, school officials and police confirmed.

Matthew Johnston, 42, remained in a medically induced coma Wednesday afternoon, but friends said his condition was believed to be improving.

“He’s stabilized from this morning, so that’s good news,” said Matthew Lee, one of Johnston’s friends.

Greg Spicer, associate superintendent of the Merced City School District, said school staff and students were informed Wednesday morning of Johnston’s injuries.

“We have counseling staff providing support to the students and the staff, and a wellness program offering support to his family,” Spicer said.

Johnston, a Merced resident, was thrown from his bicycle about 5:14 p.m. Tuesday in the 600 block of West Yosemite Avenue, the Merced Police Department said in a news release.

Johnston was riding his bicycle east on Yosemite, in the bike lane, when a white 2004 Ford F350 pickup truck turned in front of him. A 16-year-old female driver was turning into the driveway of a duplex, police said in the statement.

“Johnston applied the brakes on his bicycle and went to the ground,” police said. “The bicycle and the pickup never made contact.”

The force of Johnston hitting the ground broke the bicycle helmet he was wearing.

Sgt. Jay Struble said Johnston was riding in the bicycle lane and wearing all the appropriate riding and safety equipment at the time of the crash.

Lee described Johnston as an avid bicyclist who has two sons, ages 5 and 7. Lee and Johnston have trained together for about five years. Lee said Johnston only recently had bounced back from serious shoulder and hip injuries suffered a year ago while riding his bicycle.

Lee said Johnston was riding by himself at the time of the wreck Tuesday and was trying to catch up to a group of people who ride together once a week.

Lee said Johnston had been with the school district for about 10 years and climbed his way through the ranks, teaching a variety of subjects before becoming an administrator. He’s been the principal at John Muir for about two years, Lee said.

“He recently spearheaded a project at the school helping to provide new shoes to students who couldn’t afford them,” Lee said. “That’s just the kind of guy he is.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Struble at (209) 385-4739 or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at (209) 385-4725.

This story was originally published March 11, 2015 at 2:40 PM with the headline "Merced elementary school principal in critical condition after crash."