Kingman, Arizona, lost one of its own this week when 75-year-old John Paul Addessi died in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash that happened right on East Andy Devine Avenue. It was Sunday, February 1, around 5:40 p.m., when things went terribly wrong in the 1200 block of that busy road.
According to the Kingman Police Department, witnesses saw Addessi riding eastbound at a high rate of speed. He switched from the inside lane to the outside one, hit the curb hard, and then slid out of control onto the sidewalk. The bike went down, and despite quick efforts from first responders to save him, Addessi was pronounced dead right there at the scene.
He wasn’t wearing a helmet—that’s a detail that sticks with you. Police say speed was clearly a factor, and they’re still looking into whether intoxication played a part too. The investigation is ongoing, but the basics line up: a fast-moving solo crash on a familiar stretch of road that ended in tragedy.
John Paul Addessi was a Kingman resident through and through, known for living life on his own terms. Folks who knew him talk about his free spirit, how he loved getting out on that bike, and the way he approached everything with real determination. He was the kind of guy who made an impression—independent, full of character, and always true to himself.
Losing someone like that hits hard. Family, friends, and even folks around town who crossed paths with him are feeling the void. He touched lives in quiet ways, whether through a shared laugh, a game of pool, or just being the gentleman who cared more about others than himself. Those memories aren’t going anywhere, even as the pain feels fresh.
This crash is a tough reminder about road safety, especially on two wheels. No helmet, high speed—those choices can turn a ride into something irreversible in seconds. It’s heartbreaking for everyone left behind, and right now, his loved ones are asking for space to grieve and hold onto the good times they had with John.
Rest easy, John Paul Addessi. You rode your way, and you’ll be remembered for it.
