Prep School Dean Natchez Trace Hit And Run: What You Need To Know

FRANKLIN, TN — The former dean of students at prestigious prep school University School of Nashville faces a handful of charges following a harrowing hit-and-run on Natchez Trace Parkway July 8. A video captured on a helmet-mounted GoPro shows a Volvo hit a cyclist, sending him sprawling to the pavement. The Volvo then speeds away.

Marshall Grant Neely III, 58, was arrested late Saturday night after law enforcement and National Park Service rangers matched the license plate on the Volvo. He is charged with felony reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to immediately notify of accident and failure to render aid. The incident has become a national talking point, particularly among the cycling community, who are using to highlight the dangers they face on the road. Here's what you need to know. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

What happened?

According to police reports and witness statements, Tyler Noe and Greg Goodman were riding their bikes near the Natchez Trace Parkway's intersection with Tennessee State Route 96 at Birdsong Hollow, around four miles from the road's northern terminus in Pasquo. Around 11 a.m. Saturday, July 8, a Volvo hit Noe, who was riding in front of Goodman. Goodman was wearing a helmet-mounted GoPro and captured the incident and posted it on Facebook. Some people may find the video disturbing.

Noe was taken to the hospital, but is now recovering at home. Goodman told The Tennessean it was Noe's first time on a bike since he was a kid.

Who is Marshall Grant Neely III?

USN put Neely on a leave of absence in the days following the incident. The school said he was holding a part-time position, stepping back from his role as the dean of students for the high school. Neely lives in Franklin, according to his arrest report. Originally from New York, he is a graduate of Siena College, with a master's from Brown University and a law degree from the University of Maine. He has worked at USN since 1995, according to his biography on the school's website, which was scrubbed shortly after news of the incident began to spread midday Sunday. He has no prior criminal record, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

So, how did it happen?

Goodman told The Tennessean he believes Neely hit his friend intentionally. In a Facebook post, he said that a witness told him they'd seen the same Volvo try to hit another cyclist the week before.

In his initial interview, Neely indicated the incident was some kind of retribution, telling investigators "that a man and woman were standing in the road and threw a bicycle at his car." The video shot by Goodman — a man — shows only Noe — also a man — and has no indication of bicycle throwing.

In subsequent media interviews, Neely admitted that his initial recollection was obviously incorrect.

"When the police came and asked me what happened, I said, 'I don’t know.' There was a guy there maybe and I remember he was standing there and I said maybe he threw his bike at me," Neely told The Tennessean Monday. "Obviously, the video shows otherwise. I did not see the man. There were things going on all over the place. If you want, go look on my car, it’s been impounded. There’s not a scratch on my car."

In an interview with WKRN, he insisted again there was a man and woman standing with a bike, though he again, he conceded they were unconnected to the wreck.

“[Authorities] came at like 1 o’clock in the morning. I was sound asleep. They asked me what happened. I said I didn’t know,” he told the station. “There was another guy there with his wife, and he was standing there holding his bike, and I said all I know if maybe he threw his bike at my car, I didn’t know that for a fact.”

In an interview with NewsChannel 5, Neely said he "did not see" Noe and said that the Parkway was crowded and there were "bikes all over the place," a not unusual situation on a summer weekend on the Trace, though Goodman's video shows a relatively empty stretch of the road.

What are the rules?

In the Tennessee and Mississippi portions of the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway — the road has a 30-mile stretch through Alabama, as well — bicyclists are permitted to ride in the traffic lanes, though are encouraged in a single file when possible. Signs at the terminus in Pasquo and at various points along the way remind motorists of the rules pertaining to bikes and safe passage.

What's next?

National Parks Service rangers said they are speaking with the U.S. Attorney's office for the Middle District of Tennessee in Nashville to see if federal charges will be brought against Neely. Rangers have declined to say if Neely was given a blood test for drugs or alcohol when he was arrested more than 12 hours after the wreck.

Neely, however, believes that whenever he is in court, he will be found not guilty. He conceded that the video looks "not so great" in his Tennessean interview, but added that his contact with Noe was a "quote-unquote soft hit." He said the incident has been "the biggest nightmare I have ever had in my life" and told NewsChannel 5 he received more than 40 death threats on Sunday.

What's been the school's response?

USN responded to the incident relatively quickly, issuing its initial statement midday Sunday as news spread and then placing Neely on leave later that day.

"Marshall Neely served as dean of students at University School of Nashville before transitioning to a part-time role this summer. He also is parent of two alumni. As of today, USN has placed Mr. Neely on leave of absence while we investigate the circumstances. All other matters related to his employment are confidential. We appreciate the work of law enforcement on this matter and will cooperate fully with their investigation. Our thoughts are with the cyclist and his family as well as the Neely family during this difficult time. University School of Nashville is aware of this unfortunate incident. We respect and support the ongoing investigation with confidentiality," the school said in a statement.

Founded in 1915 and originally associated with Peabody Normal School prior to Peabody's merger with nearby Vanderbilt University, USN is one of Nashville's most prestigious private schools, enrolling more than 1,000 students K-12. The school regularly ranks at or near the top of the state's leaderboard for producing National Merit Scholars. It was the second school in the city to desegregate its classes, following Father Ryan High School, and the first to desegregate its athletic teams.

Image via Williamson County Sheriff's Office