For the fourth time in just two months, Jacksonville police are investigating a fatal crash, this time a hit-and-run that killed a 22-year-old motorcyclist Tuesday night.
Kendall Papenfuse died after a crash on North Marine Boulevard at Queen’s Road, according to Jacksonville police. Police said Papenfuse was riding on North Marine Boulevard when a car turned left from Queen’s Road and failed to yield. Police said Papenfuse lost control and was thrown from the motorcycle.
“It’s been really rough. Its something that.. No mother should have to bury their child,” said his mother, Amber Papenfuse.
Family friend Dustin Hamaker said markings remain at the intersection and described what he said he learned from the scene. “The area of impact was right here marked ‘AOI’ on the ground. I’ve already looked up the forensics lettering. They don’t have his boots marked but brother it knocked him out of his boots. He had some friends over at TGI Vape and saw it and ran over and pulled him out of the road,” Hamaker said.
Papenfuse died at the hospital Tuesday night, police said. The driver left the scene and had not been found as of Thursday evening.
As police continue searching for the driver, Amber Papenfuse has asked loved ones to help preserve her son’s memory by flooding her Facebook page with photos of him, creating what has become a mosaic of his life.
“Seeing the impact that he had on people it’s really amazing..” she said.
She also urged drivers to be more aware of motorcyclists. “It’s not a game. It’s serious. Cars need to pay attention, we’re on the road too,” she said.
Jacksonville police said the crash is the fourth fatal crash in the last two months and the second involving a motorcycle.
Police said they are looking for a smaller SUV, possibly a Hyundai, with damage. They said it was last seen heading north on Highway 17.
Amber Papenfuse said she also rides and had talked with her son about safety. “I ride too, but I’m telling him, ‘Kendall slow down’. And he told me, ‘Momma, if I go out on my bike just know that I’m happy’,” she said.
The family is also conducting its own search and asking friends and people they know for help. Anyone with information is asked to contact Jacksonville police.