Princeton Man Dies After Motorcycle, Pickup Collide In Kenly
KENLY — A Princeton man died Wednesday night from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash earlier in the day in Kenly.
The collision was reported around 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Princeton Kenly Road and Cummins Drive.
Kenly Police Chief James Ayers said preliminary findings indicate a 2017 Dodge Ram pickup driven by Richard Lowell Thomas of Pikeville was traveling west on Princeton Kenly Road and attempting to turn left onto Cummins Drive.
The pickup collided with a 2009 Kawasaki ZX1000 motorcycle operated by Hunter Ray Woodard, age 27, of Princeton.
Woodard suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to WakeMed. He died from his injuries later Wednesday night.
Thomas was not injured.
Police said the cause of the collision remains under investigation and no additional information about the crash have been released.
“It is always heartbreaking when a life is lost, particularly in a traffic collision that can have such a profound impact on family, friends, and the community,” Chief Ayers said. “On behalf of the Kenly Police Department, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Woodard during this difficult time.”
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information that could assist investigators is asked to contact the Kenly Police Department at 919-284-2116 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Anyone who seen what happened please come forward. We need all the help we can get to get answers please
I see the last name connection and wanted to say that your family is in my prayers. ….
Kymryder88. At Gmail message me
Your son. I will never forget his eyes. He’s gone to heaven I know this I looked at his eyes he was at peace. I only walked away because crowd /paramedics was too much there were already 2 people next to him. He wasn’t alone. you can be rest assured he had people by his side, helping him
It means the world to me to know he wasn’t alone! I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing that. It’s takes a special soul to do that. I thank all the ems and doctors and nurses that helped him aling the way. Thank you so much!!!!
Could you please contact me. tmw3128@yahoo.com
What answers love?! It’s was a tragedy right in front of all of us!! He was speeding so fast on that road moments prior to that accident it was so sad my daughter words were mama something bad is gonna happen and it was almost instant. She asked was it her fault she is a little gir! 🥹I said never my love he choose to speed. It was very very sad! So so sorry for your loss!
You should have kept that to yourself
Mr Josh if the comment above offended you I’m sure this will as well. Do you not see all these comments? It’s obvious this was an all the time thing for him, it just so happen that day something bad happen while his choice of speeding was going on. Someone pulled out in front of him and he couldn’t stop in time simple! But everyone’s feelings and comments are valid! Rather you may like it or not! Family don’t all the time know who there son brother father cousin really is!!! He obviously loved to ride and ride fast he enjoyed it as others have stated! He died happy as another stated! Cant be offended by the truth! It may hurt but it’s facts! Sorry not sorry for the truth but sorry for there loss of Mr Hunter! The selfish actions of Hunter and the other driver also cost Hunter his life and now he has so many hurt angry family members left behind.
My family had anxiety every time we pulled out of our driveway for fear that he would run up on us at 100 mph around the curve and there wouldn’t be a thing we could do to stop an accident. It’s a shame he lost his life at such a young age but some young men think they’re invincible. I feel truly heartbroken for his family who I’m sure wished he didn’t choose to ride like he did and worried over him constantly. The circumstances of the accident seem unclear, and I’m sure it was traumatic for all who were there.
The motorcycle went down Princeton Kenly rd every day at 100mph nothing but a streak
Next time, you should keep the snarky comments to yourself. His grieving family can see this, do better.
It’s the truth. I live out of town and he was friends with some of the neighbors and also people who live on the other side of 222. We begged them to tell him to slow down. He would come flying down our road – which at times has farm workers and all that goes with that – machinery etc. All of us who have been lucky enough to grow older – we did stupid things when we were younger – myself included – which is why we recognize dangerous acts when we see them.
It is not being snarky to tell the truth – heck he just got a speeding ticket a few months ago. He told my neighbor he knew he was going fast – he loved the feeling . I get it – I did to at one time – but not on a motorcycle. He also told my neighbor. -who by the way is also the same ago – that if the worst happened – to just know that he died happy. He loved going fast, he loved his motorcycle – and apparently he had a precious dog. I am sure his family was aware of this – his friends were – at least the ones in my neighborhood that knew him are all saying the same thing. They are not being mean – they miss him and are devastated in the way that men in the late 20s show. They were outside last night talking about him – their memories – I could hear them from my carport. They laughed, they choked up at times, they are still in shock – but it was their own way of coping – but they all agreed – he wouldn’t slow down – even when they – his own friends – said it scared them and told him so. I didn’t know him personally but have seen him. I will however be there for my neighbors who did know him and are just young men once again dealing with the loss of a friend. For most of them, sadly this isn’t the first friend they have lost in their lifetime.
I am sorry for his loss – my mama heart goes out to his mama.
You should probably be quiet your opinions only matter to you. You should be ashamed, this is not the first time I have seen your rants. I really wish you were as important as you think you are
Why didn’t the law get statements from all the people that was standing over him? Or the bus driver that had front row of this tragic moment yesterday! Also both stores have camera systems, so why not get footage from them?
The police did get written statements from everyone at the scene.
How rude these people just lost a family and all y’all have nothing better to say is that he was speeding
How about say I’m sorry for your loss and keep the rude comments to yourself
As his mother they do have statements! They have aso got a few more as this was posted. His bike was loud so he could be heard if not see because people don’t pay attention. I have talked with the Kenly pd he was not speeding he had just gas and was pulling out the parking lot when he was hit. I don’t wish this pain on any mother out there but if you don’t know the story keep your comments to yourself please. No need for putting things out there if you don’t know the truth. My baby is not coming home because lack of someone paying attention!
Rip Hunter
Regardless if he was speeding or at fault a young man lost his life. This was someone’s son, brother, cousin have some empathy for the family please!
The impact was on the passenger side door of the truck. It is a tragedy but until the facts are discovered by the video evidence of both gas stations all of this is speculation.
The impact was on the passenger side door of the truck. Its a tragedy yes, but until the facts are discovered from the video evidence from both gas stations this is all speculation.
The damage was on the passenger side door of the truck. It is a tragedy to be sure, but until the investigation is completed and the truth is discovered from the video evidence of both gas stations all of the trying to place blame is to nobody’s benefit.
Every day you have to be careful on the roads. No one pays attention anymore. They speed, they don’t look, they come around most curves on or over into the other lane. None of the sensible drivers stand a chance on the roads anymore. It’s more ridiculous every day. Teresa, I pray you and your family can eventually find peace. I’m sure Hunter is safe and whole in heaven. God bless you all🙏
I am sorry for your loss and saying he was flying was the truth I know most don’t want to hear but our family watched him gas up as I have a son who is in love with loud bikes!! Your son was beautiful and yes his bike it was loud but we watched him hit the gas. He was living life to the fullest! The truck turned right in front of the bike trying to turn into flying j bc most drivers are like others said not carful and careless they may or may not have saw a fast motorcycle coming but I do believe he shouldn’t have tried to turn but he did and the motorcycle was coming so fast the impact was so sad it was! The motorcycle was speeding most definitely and the driver of the truck was wrong as well my mama heart hurts! My kids and myself prayed for him all the way home it was very tragic for everyone who witnessed it. Please don’t be angry at the public for being honest with what we witnessed. Bc it was traumatizing to us as well and we are truly sorry for the family!
The truck was not turning into the Flying J at all. He was turning onto Cummins Drive.
Well there are plenty of people that don’t know where Cummins dr is that’s why I said flying j. But you are correct it says Cummins dr is the correct rd he was trying to turn on when he cut the motorcycle off.
R.I.P. HUNTER, prayers lifted up for family, praying 🙏 I am William Woodard’s Cousin.
Sad to hear this…….