SOUTHERN PINES — Two pedestrians in town for a Richmond County motorcycle rally were struck and killed by a car early Sunday while crossing U.S. 1, police said.
Richard Panarra, 49, and Michael Napolitano, 54, both of Jackson, New Jersey, were crossing the road from the northbound lanes to the southbound side of the road when they were hit in the far outside southbound lane near the entrance to Sizzlin’ Steak or Eggs, Southern Pines police Capt. Charles Campbell told The Pilot.
The crash happened just before 1 a.m. Sunday. No charges are pending in the case, Campbell said. The driver of the car was not injured according to initial reports.
Friends told police that the two men, who were staying at the Best Western hotel while attending a motorcycle event in Rockingham, were headed to a bar before the accident happened, Campbell said.
The Rockingham Dragway hosted the 2015 Smokeout Bike Rally over the weekend. Last year’s Smokeout 15 attracted more than 15,000 custom bike fans and participants, according to the dragway.