NK man’s death labeled as ‘unfortunate accident’

Authorities in New Kent are labeling the death of a county man “an unfortunate accident” after the victim apparently became pinned when the car he was attempting to start lurched forward and struck a tree.

Joseph J. Ritzenthaler, 30, of 8950 Piney Branch Lane near Providence Forge, had walked outside his home just after 5:30 a.m. on March 30 to warm up the engine on a car belonging to his fiancé, New Kent Sheriff F. W. “Wakie” Howard said.

“The next thing she heard was him calling for help,” Howard said.

Investigators theorize Ritzenthaler opened the driver’s side door and reached inside to turn the ignition switch, but was unaware the car was already in first gear. Upon starting, the vehicle lurched forward with Ritzenthaler partially inside. Forward momentum carried the vehicle over a railroad tie bordering the driveway. The open door then impacted a tree and swung back, pinning the victim between the door and the vehicle’s frame, Howard said.

The sheriff’s office fielded a 911 call from the fiancé at 5:46 a.m., Howard said. The first deputy on the scene was unable to move the car and free Ritzenthaler, the sheriff said.

“It took several fire fighters and deputies to push the rear end of the car, giving them access so they could remove him and start CPR,” Howard said.

Ritzenthaler was taken to VCU Medical Center in Richmond where he was pronounced dead.

“There’s no question it was an accidental situation,” Howard said.

Ritzenthaler had resided in New Kent since 2004 and had been employed as a firefighter with Henrico County since 2002. He was also a veteran of the Iraq war.