JACKSONVILLE, NC (October 27, 2026) A 22-year-old man from Richlands lost his life Tuesday evening after a hit-and-run collision involving his motorcycle at an intersection in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
According to police, Kendall Papenfuse was operating a Harley-Davidson motorcycle near North Marine Boulevard and Queens Road at approximately 8:38 p.m. when an unidentified vehicle struck his motorcycle while attempting to make a left turn.
The impact caused Papenfuse to lose control of the motorcycle and be thrown from it. He subsequently struck the front bumper of a Nissan Altima.
Emergency responders transported Papenfuse to Naval Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities are searching for the driver and vehicle involved in the collision, as the motorist reportedly left the scene without remaining to assist or provide information.
