JoeyRamone 0 #1 September 27, 2006 Florida - 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." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skolls081102 0 #2 September 27, 2006 As much as I like his bikes, I'm glad to see he was arrested. If everything pans out an dis factual in that story, I hope he goes away for along time. I have no sympathy for assholes that get behind a wheel drunk. The sole intention, is learning to fly.Condition grounded, but determined to try.Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies.Tongue tied and twisted, just an Earth bound misfit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindercles 0 #3 September 27, 2006 Everybody that's surprised, say "aye." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #4 September 27, 2006 Damn. I hate to hear that. I had heard about the accident, and I hoped he wasn't drunk. Stupid. What a waste. linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #5 September 27, 2006 Quote Damn. I hate to hear that. I had heard about the accident, and I hoped he wasn't drunk. Stupid. What a waste. There are some good people out there that make mistakes. There are some not so good people that make mistakes and there are people out there that are just up to no good at all. I've never met Lane personally, so I have no clue. I have enjoyed some of his bikes and some of his rat rods, though. He did seem to go out of his way to be apart of the hardcore biker life style. I think the part his didn't see coming is that quite a few hard-core bikers go to jail at some point. Regardless as to if they're patch wearers or lonewolfs, the 1% lifestyle puts you on the edge and sometimes you step off. Hopefully this won't hurt his business too much in the long run and hopefully after everything is said and done when he gets done with his sentence (whatever that may be) that he sees his opportunities for what they are. Whats annoying is the reaction that much of the discovery channel biker babies will have. --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyinDawg 0 #6 September 27, 2006 HAHAHA! That's my same full name! Thanks God, It isn't me! Flyin' Dawg or SkyDog "To understand is to forgive, even oneself." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #7 September 27, 2006 Here's something posted from a biker site that I read occasionally. It sums up the discovery rock star and such. This is written by someone else who could also be considered a 1%'er. Not my lifestyle, but this is sort of like reading something that a skydiver would say when another skydiver does something stupid after getting a big head. QuoteSome of you gloaters here on this site talking about Billy.... .....being legally drunk, are some of the same fucks that line up at every event and offer him a cold beer or a shot of Jack. "Billy can I get my pic with you? Want a beer Billy? Can you put your arm around my wife? Can you act like we are buddies? Hey, later on stop by the HI Bar and I'll buy you a drink! Thanks Billy." You want to drink with Billy.......you want to hang with Billy.......be in the crew who parties with Billy......wanted him to know you personally.......you wanted to be good friends with him, so that when he was on TV, you could say, "Man, I partied with that Dude. Yeah, I know him, we drink together". That's what you wanted to do, you tried to weasel into his life........don't lie motherfuckers, because I saw you doing it. But you didn't make it in, because people saw through your weak asses. Billy Lane's dog wouldn't even hang with you, because you got no guts. You fold at the first sign of trouble. Your legs turn to milk toast and you get the shits. And if the law man shows up, you run your mouth. I saw some here drunker than a wino ready to pass out, get on your bikes and ride off from the HI last Summer. I'd say about everyone who left both nights were LEGALLY drunk. I saw some of you giving alcohol to your underage friends and some kids, pushing it on them. I'm not calling just the pot black, because I partied hard myself, only thing was I didn't ride afterward (this year, but did many other years). Flame on weak knees flame on......but the way I was raised was this way......."through the good times and the bad ones, you stick with your friends"...........even when they royally screw up. And I want to personally end this by saying that I am totally blown away at some of you here that want to see Billy fall, not just do his punishment of jail or whatever, but to fail in the future! You can read it in your words. Shame on you, because I really thought you were good people. Flame on, hypocrites, flame on!!!!!--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyRamone 0 #8 September 27, 2006 He got a dwi four months ago at a bike rally in NC. His DL was suspended from that then he gets in his truck loaded again and kills a fellow biker passing cars in a no passing zone. He will see some major time for sure. I do not feel bad for him at all. I sould not say that yes i do feel bad for him, his family and the person who was killed and his family. This shit hurts everyone. Sure he is a nice guy and builds cool bikes but he should of never been driving loaded again. Man i am glad it was not me i drove drunk many times too but after my second dui i stopped drinking all together. He was twice the legal limit. Sucks for all of them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #9 September 27, 2006 Four fucking lawyers... give me a break... His ass is toast due to his prior record. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyinDawg 0 #10 September 27, 2006 QuoteFour fucking lawyers... give me a break... His ass is toast due to his prior record. He's rich and he can afford four lawyers. Flyin' Dawg or SkyDog "To understand is to forgive, even oneself." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #11 September 27, 2006 No sympathy for drunk drivers. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyinDawg 0 #12 September 27, 2006 QuoteNo sympathy for drunk drivers. Excatly! And No mercy on them!Flyin' Dawg or SkyDog "To understand is to forgive, even oneself." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #13 September 27, 2006 QuoteThere are no winners in this thing. No doubt about that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #14 September 27, 2006 Sometimes people make mistakes. When he got pinched a few months ago it was likely a "mistake." People fuck up. When this happened, it was not a mistake. He knew he had a suspended license, for one. I was in court about a month ago. A guy was being arraigned for his sixth DUI. SIXTH!! That is a problem. It appears that Billy Lane has a problem. HE just failed to recognize it. It's a damned shame. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #15 September 27, 2006 QuoteSure he is a nice guy and builds cool bikes but he should of never been driving loaded again. Not a flame my friend. But Billy Lane was not a good guy. Billy Lane only cared about Billy Lane and his arrogant “I am a star” attitude will end up costing his anything worthwhile he ever had. Compare him to Jessie and you see a big difference in using good old common sense. Like I said, JMOMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squirrel 0 #16 September 27, 2006 Good for the law! My mom was almost taken out by a DUI. I wonder if Discovery Channel Biker Build off will show its viewers this story. Maybe it should go like this... "Next time on Biker Buildoff, the Chopper king visits Billy Lane in the big house, where he builds a chopper from a piece of weight lifting equipment...." Personally, I think this chopper fad is gottean way out of hand, and is all about posers now. Ok, now flame me...but I wont be here...gotta go flying this morning. ________________________________ Where is Darwin when you need him? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpwally 0 #17 September 27, 2006 Hopefully he pays the price and hopefully he loses his business ! How would you like that idiot to slam into your family memeber? That is no room for people like that. There are a lot of good bikers and a lot of good bike builders out there,he's not one of them. He just got lucky for a bit................smile, be nice, enjoy life FB # - 1083 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #18 September 27, 2006 Quote Compare him to Jessie and you see a big difference in using good old common sense. Like I said, JMO Jesse who? Jesse James? That's funny. Jesse has had his place raided several times for drug offenses. He does (or did, at least) a lot of meth. His life, and that of Billy Lane, are pretty much the same as far as I know. If you are going to play, you are going to eventually pay. Living in the limelight sure doesn't help matters. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 801 #19 September 27, 2006 i wouldn't go betting the farm on that...Florida legal system is fucked up. My best friend was killed on his motorcycle by a dui cunt a few years ago...sh got a whopping 30 days in county jail and 10 years probation for taking someone's life. She ran over him like a dog. Billy has no priors...the NC thing will get tossed out because he refused to blow...so it will get reduced to wreckless...meaning nothing outside of a suspended license...whoop de fucking do. Attorneys continue the moral decay of this once fine country. Honor and integrity mean shit these days. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #20 September 27, 2006 Another thing about the NC charge: refusing to blow simply suspends your state driving privileges for six months. That in no way guarantees that the state of FL has a reciprocal agreement that prohibits him from driving back home in FL. I know this from personal experience, having lost my NC privileges for three years (speeding 157 in a 55, wreckless driving, willfull speed competition of motor vehicles, failure to stop for a blue light, speeding to avoid arrest), I only got three points on my AL license and no suspension for that offense. That was the limit of the reciprocal agreement in that case of (sober) stupidity. They could not take an NC license that I did not have and they could not prohibit me from driving in any other state on my AL license. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindercles 0 #21 September 27, 2006 Quotefailure to stop for a blue light Huh? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #22 September 27, 2006 NC suspended my wife's driving privileges for 6 months for speeding 80 in a 55 zone on a highway a few years ago, and she had no priors... Now that's a bit overkill... However, nowadays, AL will suspend your AL drivers license if you have an unresolved traffic ticket in another state... "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #23 September 27, 2006 QuoteQuotefailure to stop for a blue light Huh? blue light = police duh "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindercles 0 #24 September 27, 2006 I knew that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #25 September 27, 2006 QuoteQuotefailure to stop for a blue light Huh? That means that I failed to pull over to the side of the road for the police car after he turned on his flashing lights in an attempt to apprehend me. You are supposed to yield to all emergency and police vehicles if they are running their lights and siren; it's a safety thing. Likewise, if they are behind you, you are required to pull over. I did not do that, as I found it prudent to simply run from the law. The motorola won the race though and me and my buddy both went straight to jail when they put up a roadblock. The police were not impressed. This was labor day weekend 1987 and I had a 1985 Corvette back then. Back on topic: As Billy has yet to be convicted for the NC offense, I am not sure how that will play out in his manslaughter charges in FL. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
