Woman Charged in Hit-and-Run That Killed 22-Year-Old Rider in Jacksonville
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A Jacksonville, North Carolina woman is charged with felony hit and run in the crash that killed a 22-year-old rider last month.
The crash happened on Tuesday, October 27, at about 8:38 p.m. at North Marine Boulevard and Queens Road in Jacksonville. Police say Kendall Papenfuse, 22, of Richlands was riding his black Harley-Davidson on North Marine Boulevard when a vehicle turning left onto the boulevard failed to yield. Papenfuse lost control of the motorcycle, was thrown from it, and struck the front bumper of a silver Nissan Altima. The Altima driver was not injured.
First responders performed CPR at the scene. Papenfuse was taken to Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, where he was pronounced dead.
Jacksonville police say their investigation identified the driver who struck Papenfuse and left the scene as Rebekah Ann Stebbins, 40, of Jacksonville. Officers consulted with the Onslow County District Attorney's Office during the investigation and arrested Stebbins on Thursday, November 5.
Stebbins is charged with felony hit and run causing a death, misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, and unsafe movement. She was booked into the Onslow County Jail under a $75,000 secured bond. The charges are allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Police say the investigation is still active and they are still looking for witnesses. Anyone with information can contact Investigator J. Merriman at (910) 938-6454 or jmerriman@jacksonvillenc.gov, or Crime Stoppers at 910-750-7082.
Papenfuse's parents, Freddy and Amber, have had the local community behind them since the crash. A GoFundMe organized by family friend Allan Willis is helping with funeral and everyday expenses, and riders held a memorial meet for Kendall in Jacksonville on Saturday, November 7.
Sources: Jacksonville Police Department, WITN, WCTI.
1 comment
How can this not be second degree murder with the felony hit and run? How can this not be MALICE (Key word MALICE by case law) ? How can this not be assault with a deadly inflicting serious injury. Clearly here there is MALICE (key word MALICE by case law). I see MALICE 3 different charges and 3 different MALICE (key word MALICE by case law.) Tampering with evidence willfully and knowing fully.