A 22-year-old Richlands man died following a motorcycle crash in Jacksonville on Tuesday night, prompting an investigation into a fleeing vehicle.
According to the Jacksonville Police Department, officers responded to a collision at North Marine Boulevard and Queens Road at 8:38 p.m. on October 27. The motorcyclist was identified as Kendall Papenfuse, 22, of Richlands.
Authorities reported that Papenfuse was riding a black Harley-Davidson motorcycle when an unidentified vehicle attempted a left turn onto the road without yielding. Papenfuse lost control, was thrown from his motorcycle, and struck the front bumper of a silver Nissan Altima. The driver of the Altima sustained no injuries.
First responders performed CPR on Papenfuse at the scene before he was transported to Naval Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Police seeking fleeing vehicle
The Jacksonville Police Department's Traffic Division is seeking assistance in identifying the vehicle that left the scene of the crash.
Investigators believe the vehicle may be a smaller SUV, possibly a Hyundai, with noticeable damage to its left rear corner. It was last seen turning from Queens Road and heading north on U.S. 17.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Investigator J. Merriman at 910-938-6454 or jmerriman@jacksonvillenc.gov. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 910-750-7082, with potential rewards of up to $5,000 for valuable information.
Anonymous tips can also be sent via text to 274637 by entering TIP4CSJAX followed by the message.