Chopper builder Billy Lane Kills fellow motorcyclist in traffic accident
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Chopper builder Billy Lane Kills fellow motorcyclist in traffic accident (Sept 4th)
Chopper builder hurt in fatal crash
Billy Lane's truck, motorcycle collide on A1A near Melbourne Beach
BY J.D. GALLOP
FLORIDA TODAY
Local motorcycle shop owner Billy Lane, who has appeared on the Discovery Channel's "Biker Build-Off" and "Monster Garage," was injured in a Labor Day traffic accident that left a motorcyclist dead.
The 9 p.m. accident involving the 36-year-old Lane, the owner of the Melbourne-based Choppers Inc. and a resident of Melbourne Beach, occurred on State Road A1A south of Melbourne Beach near the intersection of Ballyshannon Street
Florida Highway Patrol investigators said Lane was trying to pass two other vehicles on A1A when his southbound 2006 Dodge Ram pickup collided with a northbound 1983 Yamaha motorcycle.
The motorcyclist, identified as 56-year-old Melbourne Beach resident Gerald Morelock, was wearing a helmet. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Lane hit the motorcycle head on, and then the pickup hit a power pole,” said Kim Miller, spokeswoman for the Florida Highway Patrol.
Miller said a passenger in the pickup, identified as 22-year-old Erin Derrick of Rockledge, was also injured in the crash. Lane and Derrick were transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne but their medical conditions were not immediately available this morning.
Lane, who was semi-conscious at the accident scene, is known for his work building custom-made motorcycles.
Florida Highway Patrol traffic homicide investigators said no charges were filed, but added they were waiting on the results of blood-alcohol tests, which will be available in six to eight weeks.
Employees contacted at Lane’s chopper shop this morning would not comment.
Modified by Jasper_db1 at 5:48 AM 9/27/2006
Billy Lane's truck, motorcycle collide on A1A near Melbourne Beach
BY J.D. GALLOP
FLORIDA TODAY
Local motorcycle shop owner Billy Lane, who has appeared on the Discovery Channel's "Biker Build-Off" and "Monster Garage," was injured in a Labor Day traffic accident that left a motorcyclist dead.
The 9 p.m. accident involving the 36-year-old Lane, the owner of the Melbourne-based Choppers Inc. and a resident of Melbourne Beach, occurred on State Road A1A south of Melbourne Beach near the intersection of Ballyshannon Street
Florida Highway Patrol investigators said Lane was trying to pass two other vehicles on A1A when his southbound 2006 Dodge Ram pickup collided with a northbound 1983 Yamaha motorcycle.
The motorcyclist, identified as 56-year-old Melbourne Beach resident Gerald Morelock, was wearing a helmet. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Lane hit the motorcycle head on, and then the pickup hit a power pole,” said Kim Miller, spokeswoman for the Florida Highway Patrol.
Miller said a passenger in the pickup, identified as 22-year-old Erin Derrick of Rockledge, was also injured in the crash. Lane and Derrick were transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne but their medical conditions were not immediately available this morning.
Lane, who was semi-conscious at the accident scene, is known for his work building custom-made motorcycles.
Florida Highway Patrol traffic homicide investigators said no charges were filed, but added they were waiting on the results of blood-alcohol tests, which will be available in six to eight weeks.
Employees contacted at Lane’s chopper shop this morning would not comment.
Modified by Jasper_db1 at 5:48 AM 9/27/2006
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From: Aliso Viejo, Ca, USA
Re: Chopper builder Billy Lane Kills fellow motorcyclist in traffic accident (Jasper_db1)
http://www.floridatoday.com/ap...AKING
Lane charged in fatal wreck
BY J.D. GALLOP
FLORIDA TODAY
COCOA - With four attorneys by his side, nationally known motorcycle designer Billy Lane quietly surrendered to authorities Monday on charges his blood alcohol was twice the legal limit during a collision that killed a 56-year-old man on a moped.
Lane was charged with driving under the influence manslaughter, driving with his license suspended and driving under the influence with serious bodily injuries in connection with a Sept. 4 accident on State Road A1A, south of Melbourne Beach.
Gerald Vernon Morelock, a Sebastian Inlet park ranger from Melbourne Beach, was killed in the head-on collision between his moped and Lane's pickup truck.
"At the time of the crash (Lane's) license had been suspended," Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Kim Miller said.
Lane's case has drawn attention from motorcycling enthusiasts across the country.
"He should have never been behind the wheel," Miller said.
After he resisted officers who tried to draw blood, Lane's blood alcohol level tested at .192, more than twice the state's legal limit of .08, Miller said.
Lane's attorney issued a statement.
"We are currently conducting our own investigation of every aspect of this accident, including the blood alcohol level," Melbourne attorney Kepler Funk said.
Morelock's brother, Byron Morelock of Indialantic, praised the effort to bring in Lane on DUI manslaughter charges. He described his brother "Jerry" as a friendly, fun-loving man who moved to Brevard from Ohio in 1984.
"I'm relieved, but I had faith in the arresting patrolman and I have faith in our legal system," said Byron Morelock.
"(The investigator) kept in touch with me and said the investigators were crossing their t's and dotting their i's. I'm relieved but it's such a shame this had to happen. There are no winners in this thing. Relieved is the wrong word -- maybe just that some of the tension is gone."
On Monday, an FHP trooper led a handcuffed Lane out of the highway patrol's Cocoa headquarters about 1:30 p.m. to a waiting patrol car.
Looking disheveled and staring ahead quietly, Lane was placed in the front seat of the patrol car, then escorted to the Brevard County Jail Complex, where he was photographed and booked into the jail. He was released within 90 minutes on a $15,000 bond, officials said.
"That does seem low, but, unfortunately for us, we don't set the bond," Miller said. "We would like to see a higher bond, but it's a standard bond."
Lane must surrender his passport and cannot drive, as part of the requirements of his bond, Miller said.
Investigators said the accident happened after Lane, the custom chopper builder featured on Discovery Channel's "Biker Build-Off" and "Monster Garage," crossed a double yellow line to pass several other vehicles before striking Morelock's 1983 Yamaha moped.
Lane had been drinking throughout the day, according to investigators. He was at Coconuts on the Beach Restaurant and Bar in Cocoa Beach earlier and left the popular nightclub and headed to Cheaters, another popular nightspot, where he had several other drinks, officials said.
Lane got on his motorcycle with a passenger identified as Erin Levens Derrick and rode to his business, Choppers, Inc., located on the 1200 block of U.S. 1 in Melbourne.
At the shop, Lane and his passenger got into a black, custom-painted 2006 Dodge Ram pickup and headed toward his beachside home.
Later on State Road A1A, a two-lane highway that parallels the beach and cuts through a residential area, Lane was spotted passing the double yellow line to speed southbound past three vehicles on the darkened road, officials said.
Several motorists told Florida Highway Patrol investigators that they saw a headlight in the distance belonging to the northbound moped ridden by Morelock. Investigators said Lane saw the light, then attempted to veer east when the pickup slammed head-on into the moped, killing Morelock instantly. The moped was destroyed, its mangled wreckage tossed 64 feet away.
Lane's pickup trucked rolled off the road, knocking over three palm trees and overturned into a power pole, reports show.
Brevard County Fire-Rescue paramedics arrived minutes later and found Lane, injured but conscious, still in the driver's seat. Paramedics said they also smelled alcohol.
Both Lane and his passenger, Derrick, were taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne for treatment.
But at the hospital, Lane, still able to speak, refused a request from investigators to draw blood. Troopers then had to hold Lane down while a nurse took the blood sample, officials said. He went home the next day.
Investigators did not immediately file charges in the case, something that raised the ire of family members and motorcycle bloggers on the Internet.
But agents -- who described the crash scene as one of the worst they had seen in recent years -- turned over Lane's blood to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement laboratory in Orlando and asked that the case be given priority.
"They actually put a rush on it, and his blood alcohol actually came back twice the legal limit of .08," Miller said.
The deadly crash was also not the only run-in with traffic enforcement for the celebrity biker. In June, North Carolina Highway Patrol officers arrested Lane on drunken driving charges.
Police in that case said Lane drove on the wrong side of a two-lane road without a helmet. Lane refused a breath test and is due in court Oct. 5 on those charges, according to the Rowan County Clerk of Courts. His refusal to take the breath test resulted in his license being suspended for a year.
"The police did the right thing and took their time," Byron Morelock said. "It just goes to show that you cannot go around drinking and driving."
Lane charged in fatal wreck
BY J.D. GALLOP
FLORIDA TODAY
COCOA - With four attorneys by his side, nationally known motorcycle designer Billy Lane quietly surrendered to authorities Monday on charges his blood alcohol was twice the legal limit during a collision that killed a 56-year-old man on a moped.
Lane was charged with driving under the influence manslaughter, driving with his license suspended and driving under the influence with serious bodily injuries in connection with a Sept. 4 accident on State Road A1A, south of Melbourne Beach.
Gerald Vernon Morelock, a Sebastian Inlet park ranger from Melbourne Beach, was killed in the head-on collision between his moped and Lane's pickup truck.
"At the time of the crash (Lane's) license had been suspended," Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Kim Miller said.
Lane's case has drawn attention from motorcycling enthusiasts across the country.
"He should have never been behind the wheel," Miller said.
After he resisted officers who tried to draw blood, Lane's blood alcohol level tested at .192, more than twice the state's legal limit of .08, Miller said.
Lane's attorney issued a statement.
"We are currently conducting our own investigation of every aspect of this accident, including the blood alcohol level," Melbourne attorney Kepler Funk said.
Morelock's brother, Byron Morelock of Indialantic, praised the effort to bring in Lane on DUI manslaughter charges. He described his brother "Jerry" as a friendly, fun-loving man who moved to Brevard from Ohio in 1984.
"I'm relieved, but I had faith in the arresting patrolman and I have faith in our legal system," said Byron Morelock.
"(The investigator) kept in touch with me and said the investigators were crossing their t's and dotting their i's. I'm relieved but it's such a shame this had to happen. There are no winners in this thing. Relieved is the wrong word -- maybe just that some of the tension is gone."
On Monday, an FHP trooper led a handcuffed Lane out of the highway patrol's Cocoa headquarters about 1:30 p.m. to a waiting patrol car.
Looking disheveled and staring ahead quietly, Lane was placed in the front seat of the patrol car, then escorted to the Brevard County Jail Complex, where he was photographed and booked into the jail. He was released within 90 minutes on a $15,000 bond, officials said.
"That does seem low, but, unfortunately for us, we don't set the bond," Miller said. "We would like to see a higher bond, but it's a standard bond."
Lane must surrender his passport and cannot drive, as part of the requirements of his bond, Miller said.
Investigators said the accident happened after Lane, the custom chopper builder featured on Discovery Channel's "Biker Build-Off" and "Monster Garage," crossed a double yellow line to pass several other vehicles before striking Morelock's 1983 Yamaha moped.
Lane had been drinking throughout the day, according to investigators. He was at Coconuts on the Beach Restaurant and Bar in Cocoa Beach earlier and left the popular nightclub and headed to Cheaters, another popular nightspot, where he had several other drinks, officials said.
Lane got on his motorcycle with a passenger identified as Erin Levens Derrick and rode to his business, Choppers, Inc., located on the 1200 block of U.S. 1 in Melbourne.
At the shop, Lane and his passenger got into a black, custom-painted 2006 Dodge Ram pickup and headed toward his beachside home.
Later on State Road A1A, a two-lane highway that parallels the beach and cuts through a residential area, Lane was spotted passing the double yellow line to speed southbound past three vehicles on the darkened road, officials said.
Several motorists told Florida Highway Patrol investigators that they saw a headlight in the distance belonging to the northbound moped ridden by Morelock. Investigators said Lane saw the light, then attempted to veer east when the pickup slammed head-on into the moped, killing Morelock instantly. The moped was destroyed, its mangled wreckage tossed 64 feet away.
Lane's pickup trucked rolled off the road, knocking over three palm trees and overturned into a power pole, reports show.
Brevard County Fire-Rescue paramedics arrived minutes later and found Lane, injured but conscious, still in the driver's seat. Paramedics said they also smelled alcohol.
Both Lane and his passenger, Derrick, were taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne for treatment.
But at the hospital, Lane, still able to speak, refused a request from investigators to draw blood. Troopers then had to hold Lane down while a nurse took the blood sample, officials said. He went home the next day.
Investigators did not immediately file charges in the case, something that raised the ire of family members and motorcycle bloggers on the Internet.
But agents -- who described the crash scene as one of the worst they had seen in recent years -- turned over Lane's blood to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement laboratory in Orlando and asked that the case be given priority.
"They actually put a rush on it, and his blood alcohol actually came back twice the legal limit of .08," Miller said.
The deadly crash was also not the only run-in with traffic enforcement for the celebrity biker. In June, North Carolina Highway Patrol officers arrested Lane on drunken driving charges.
Police in that case said Lane drove on the wrong side of a two-lane road without a helmet. Lane refused a breath test and is due in court Oct. 5 on those charges, according to the Rowan County Clerk of Courts. His refusal to take the breath test resulted in his license being suspended for a year.
"The police did the right thing and took their time," Byron Morelock said. "It just goes to show that you cannot go around drinking and driving."
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From: Aliso Viejo, Ca, USA
Re: Chopper builder Billy Lane Kills fellow motorcyclist in traffic accident (Jasper_db1)
http://www.floridatoday.com/ap.../1086
Lane, victim's kin face tough days
BY J.D. GALLOP AND JOHN TORRES
FLORIDA TODAY
One day after celebrity motorcycle designer Billy Lane bonded out of the Brevard County Jail Complex on a DUI manslaughter charge, his attorney says the Melbourne Beach resident is still coping with injuries from the deadly crash that led to his arrest.
"Physically, he's trying to recover and mentally, it's rough. It's been horrifically stressful to go through," said criminal defense Attorney Kepler Funk said today.
Lane turned himself in to Florida Highway Patrol authorities Monday on charges of driving under the influence — manslaughter in the death of 56-year-old Gerald Vernon Morelock. Lane was also charged with driving with his license suspended and driving under the influence with serious injuries.
Byron Morelock, the crash victim's brother, said it's been a difficult few days with television reporters following him and his 16-year-old son, Sean, around while they both try and deal with their grief. Gerry Morelock was very close to Sean. The two spent many days together fishing and talking.
"It's a shame that the guy that killed my brother was inebriated," Byron Morelock said slowly this morning. "There are no winners. I lost my brother and he's losing his freedom."
Investigators said the fatal crash happened Sept. 4 as Lane — who, according to the FHP report, had been drinking throughout much of the day — crossed a double-yellow line and attempted to pass several cars on State Road A1A, just south of Melbourne Beach. His Dodge Ram pickup truck slammed head-on into Morelock, who was riding on what Florida Highway Patrol investigators said was a street-legal moped.
Investigators said Lane's blood alcohol level was .192, more than twice the state's legal limit of .08.
Funk said his law firm was reviewing the state's findings on the blood-alcohol test.
Lane, who faces up to 15 years in state prison if convicted, was released on $15,000 bond and had to turn over his passport. He is also prohibited from contacting the victim's family and cannot have alcohol or drive, Funk said.
"I haven't been given a court date yet," Funk added.
Lane, victim's kin face tough days
BY J.D. GALLOP AND JOHN TORRES
FLORIDA TODAY
One day after celebrity motorcycle designer Billy Lane bonded out of the Brevard County Jail Complex on a DUI manslaughter charge, his attorney says the Melbourne Beach resident is still coping with injuries from the deadly crash that led to his arrest.
"Physically, he's trying to recover and mentally, it's rough. It's been horrifically stressful to go through," said criminal defense Attorney Kepler Funk said today.
Lane turned himself in to Florida Highway Patrol authorities Monday on charges of driving under the influence — manslaughter in the death of 56-year-old Gerald Vernon Morelock. Lane was also charged with driving with his license suspended and driving under the influence with serious injuries.
Byron Morelock, the crash victim's brother, said it's been a difficult few days with television reporters following him and his 16-year-old son, Sean, around while they both try and deal with their grief. Gerry Morelock was very close to Sean. The two spent many days together fishing and talking.
"It's a shame that the guy that killed my brother was inebriated," Byron Morelock said slowly this morning. "There are no winners. I lost my brother and he's losing his freedom."
Investigators said the fatal crash happened Sept. 4 as Lane — who, according to the FHP report, had been drinking throughout much of the day — crossed a double-yellow line and attempted to pass several cars on State Road A1A, just south of Melbourne Beach. His Dodge Ram pickup truck slammed head-on into Morelock, who was riding on what Florida Highway Patrol investigators said was a street-legal moped.
Investigators said Lane's blood alcohol level was .192, more than twice the state's legal limit of .08.
Funk said his law firm was reviewing the state's findings on the blood-alcohol test.
Lane, who faces up to 15 years in state prison if convicted, was released on $15,000 bond and had to turn over his passport. He is also prohibited from contacting the victim's family and cannot have alcohol or drive, Funk said.
"I haven't been given a court date yet," Funk added.
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From: Aliso Viejo, Ca, USA
Re: Chopper builder Billy Lane Kills fellow motorcyclist in traffic accident (Jasper_db1)
I realize that this old news but I'm just now learning of it so I posted.
Ride safe everyone.
Ride safe everyone.
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Ventura County, Ca, United States
Re: Chopper builder Billy Lane Kills fellow motorcyclist in traffic accident (modedicebox)
expletive that guy, I hope he rotts in hell. Not only was he driving on a suspended liscense from a previous DUI, he was also driving on the wrong side of the road. Dude has no concern for others and I hope they make an example of his stupid hillbilly ***.
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Re: Chopper builder Billy Lane Kills fellow motorcyclist in traffic accident (modedicebox)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by modedicebox »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">dude had it going for him and f'ed it up drinking and driving. Sad...</TD></TR></TABLE>
like none of us have ever driven drunk before. i just think there is still a level of conciousness when you are driving drunk that keeps you from doing ignornat **** like this all the time. i hope he sees some real time if he is not remorseful and has other serious charges on his record.
like none of us have ever driven drunk before. i just think there is still a level of conciousness when you are driving drunk that keeps you from doing ignornat **** like this all the time. i hope he sees some real time if he is not remorseful and has other serious charges on his record.
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Ventura County, Ca, United States
Re: Chopper builder Billy Lane Kills fellow motorcyclist in traffic accident (D Day)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by D Day »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
like none of us have ever driven drunk before. </TD></TR></TABLE>
There's driving drunk and just trying to get home un-noticed and then there's driving drunk like a raging ******* attention ***** trying to pass people on a two lane highway. Either way idriving drunk is not acceptable but the guy could of been a little more low key and took his time to get where he was going. Not weaving in and out of lanes like he owns the state.
like none of us have ever driven drunk before. </TD></TR></TABLE>
There's driving drunk and just trying to get home un-noticed and then there's driving drunk like a raging ******* attention ***** trying to pass people on a two lane highway. Either way idriving drunk is not acceptable but the guy could of been a little more low key and took his time to get where he was going. Not weaving in and out of lanes like he owns the state.
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From: The same place Max slept in The Road Warrior
Re: Chopper builder Billy Lane Kills fellow motorcyclist in traffic accident (Z Darkside)
yea i think thats what i was trying to say in my first post. i have driven drunk many times (im not bragging) and no matter how fucked up i was, i wasnt going into other lanes randomly and just totally neglecting the laws. this is less about him being drunk and more of him just being an irresponsible *******.
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Ventura County, Ca, United States
Re: Chopper builder Billy Lane Kills fellow motorcyclist in traffic accident (D Day)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by D Day »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yea i think thats what i was trying to say in my first post. i have driven drunk many times (im not bragging) and no matter how fucked up i was, i wasnt going into other lanes randomly and just totally neglecting the laws. this is less about him being drunk and more of him just being an irresponsible *******.</TD></TR></TABLE>
well said
well said
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From: Valdosta, GA, US
Re: Chopper builder Billy Lane Kills fellow motorcyclist in traffic accident (D Day)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by D Day »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
like none of us have ever driven drunk before. i just think there is still a level of conciousness when you are driving drunk that keeps you from doing ignornat **** like this all the time. i hope he sees some real time if he is not remorseful and has other serious charges on his record.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I just wanted it to be known that I personally have never driven drunk. I don't think its all that hard to not drive while drunk. If I go out I have a plan, or I call a cab.
Drinking and driving has got to be one of the stupidest things a person can do know a days.
like none of us have ever driven drunk before. i just think there is still a level of conciousness when you are driving drunk that keeps you from doing ignornat **** like this all the time. i hope he sees some real time if he is not remorseful and has other serious charges on his record.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I just wanted it to be known that I personally have never driven drunk. I don't think its all that hard to not drive while drunk. If I go out I have a plan, or I call a cab.
Drinking and driving has got to be one of the stupidest things a person can do know a days.
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From: Maryland
Re: Chopper builder Billy Lane Kills fellow motorcyclist in traffic accident (thehondaguru)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thehondaguru »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Drinking and driving has got to be one of the stupidest things a person can do know a days. </TD></TR></TABLE>
X2
Ive never driven drunk either.
Drinking and driving has got to be one of the stupidest things a person can do know a days. </TD></TR></TABLE>
X2
Ive never driven drunk either.
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