For those of you that may not know, Billy Lane, the bike builder of Choppers, Inc. fame, was charged with DUI manslaughter, driving with a suspended license and DUI causing serious bodily injury to another.
Yes, death is serious bodily injury I would say!
On Labor Day, 2006, Lane reportedly crossed a double yellow line, on A1A in Melbourne Beach, while driving his Dodge Pick-up truck in an attempt to pass several cars. According to witnesses’, Lane hit a moped “head on” being driven by a 56 year old Park Ranger, Gerald Morelock, who was on his way home from work. Sadly, Mr. Morelock was pronounced dead at the scene.
The impact apparently caused Lane to lose control of the promotional 2006 Dodge Ram hitting some palm trees and overturning against a power pole.
According to police accounts, Lane sustained injuries along with his passenger Erin Derrick. Both Lane and Derrick were transported to the hospital for treatment. Lane refused a blood alcohol test. According to Police, the officers physically restrained Lane while a nurse took the blood sample which is legal in several states including Florida.
Earlier that same year, Billy Lane had a run in with North Carolina law enforcement when he was arrested for driving on the wrong side of the road, driving without a helmet, and DUI. Lane was reported to have refused a breathalyzer test then too and his driver’s license was suspended for one year.
Seems it was just a matter of time before he did some harm somewhere!
In the Gerald Morelock case, Police said Lane’s blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit when he crossed a double yellow line striking Morelock’s Yamaha scooter head-on.
Lane was charged with driving under the influence, manslaughter, driving with a suspended license and driving under the influence resulting in serious bodily injuries.
His blood test came back at .192, more than twice the legal limit of .08 according to Kim Miller, Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson. Miller also said “at the time of the crash, Lane’s license had been suspended.”
According to several witnesses Lane had been seen at several different local drinking establishments during the day.
He should never have been behind the wheel!
Court schedule’s and defense attorney schedule’s have posed several problems forcing the delay of custom motorcycle builder’s DUI manslaughter trial until next year. Billy Lane’s trial is now tentatively rescheduled for Feb. 9, 2009 before Circuit Judge Robert Burger, Lanes defense attorney Eisenmenger said.
Two of the charges, DUI-manslaughter and driving with a suspended license in conjunction with a death, are second-degree felonies. If convicted, Billy Lane could face up to 15 years in prison for each of those felony charges.
Needless to say, this had caused waves in the biker community. Biker’s have long been advocates against drunk drivers. Some feel the penalty should be stiff because Billy Lane is a biker and represents the very cause they battle, others hope for leniency because he is a biker…and a famous one at that.
It’s been over two years since the accident…the wheels of justice turn very slowly sometimes. Fame and fortune often have a direct bearing on that.
Judging from Billy’s website, he appears to be optimistic about the outcome of it all…
“Billy and the Choppers Inc crew will be out at events near you in 2009 season. Check the events calendar often for updates to see where and when.”
I still can’t help but wonder…
Would he have even stopped if he had not lost control of his truck?
What do you think?
Billy Lane Charged With Felony Vehicular Homicide
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
{ 0 comments… add one now }