IFN Staff

The Troutman Police Department is investigating a fatal crash that occurred Sunday afternoon on Duck Creek Road.

Officers responded to a report of a motorcycle crash in the 100 block of Duck Creek Road about 12:49 p.m. on Sunday and found a motorcycle and a rider off the roadway, according to a TPD news release. The rider, identified as 34-year-old Troutman resident Richard Pendergrass-Nowak was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. 

Investigating officers determined that the motorcycle had left the roadway and traveled more than 300 feet before striking a tree, causing fatal injuries to Pendergrass-Nowak. Excessive speed has been identified as a contributing factor in the crash, police said.