A story told of a tragedy in the making

The death of motorcyclist Gerald Morelock on September 4th in Melbourne Beach, Florida has been in the eye of the motorcyclist community for the past few weeks. Many have even criticized the amount of discussion on the subject siting that it was due to the celebrity involvement. I have to agree with to a certain extent when it is pointed out that most of the articles mentioned more about the celebrity involved not Gerald Morelock, the victim and his family that lost a loved one.

In all of the articles that I have read, very few had the victim, Gerald Morelock as the subject matter. Most of the media and articles called more attention to the fact that famous chopper builder Billy Lane was involved in a fatal accident. Some article headlines even led one to believe that it was Billy that was killed. While the family of Morelock and most speaking was that of Byron Morelock, Gerry's Brother made very little mention to the cause of death in relation to Billy Lane.

Billy Lane was found injured along with the passenger of the Dodge pickup that he was driving the night of the accident that left a motorcyclist dead at the scene. Witnesses to the accident claim that they saw the custom black Dodge pickup cross a double yellow line on south Hwy A1A while trying to pass two vehicles. It was Mr. Lanes negligence by using the no passing zone that caused the death of Morelock who was riding a 1983 Yamaha Motor Scooter. Billy Lane and Passenger were released from the hospital after being treated for injuries, while the sad news of Gerry Morelock's death was being reported to the members of his family.

As the news quickly spread of the chopper builder being involved in an fatal accident that he was at fault, so did the news that Billy Lane was reportedly impaired by alcohol. Questions were raised as to the reason that he was not immediately arrested, along with allegations of him receiving special treatment. However, the Florida Highway Patrol made it perfectly clear that there were procedures that had to be followed in order to process the correct charges against Mr. lane. There was little doubt that Billy Lane had made a irrational decision to attempt the pass in the area that was clearly marked. But the question still remained, had he been drinking.

The forums and blogs of the motorcycle community were alive with speculation as to what happened and what the causes were. There is no longer a speculation as to whether Billy Lane was intoxicated after yesterdays arrest and charges filed of DUI, Driving While license Suspended and Manslaughter. Billy reportedly turned himself in to the Florida Highway Patrol escorted by his attorneys. He was released on $15,000.00 bail less than two hours later. The wait was over. Gerald's brother Byron Morelock was quoted as saying that a lot of tension had been relieved after the news of Billy Lanes arrest.

Many members of the motorcycle community, including myself, where dismayed at the fact that Billy remained silent about what happened. Then, following the arrest and charges being filed, Choppers Inc. the Melbourne Florida based motorcycle shop that Billy Lane owns released a statement. A statement that many hoped would say more. Instead the statement released by Choppers Inc. on Billy's behalf was only three lines long stating that we extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Gerald Morelock. That Billy was injured in the accident as well and that he would cooperate fully in the pending investigation as he recovers.

Following today's arrest more news broke and the story unfolded of how Billy Lane had allegedly been drinking all day and had visited two local drinking establishments while he and the passenger of the accident rode around on one of his motorcycles. Later in the evening the two returned to the shop to drop off the motorcycle and started off to the home of Billy Lane in Melbourne Beach in one of his custom Dodge pickups. It was on the way home and not much more than a mile from his home that the deadly tragedy happened. To add to problems, the FHP has stated that Billy refused to give in to a blood test at the scene and again later at the hospital. In fact it is alleged that troopers had to hold him down while nurses drew blood for the test. It was only after yesterday's arrest that these facts came to light. It was only after the arrest that any statement was made from Billy.

Billy was on a streak of bad luck and wrong doing in the past couple of months that started when the motorcycle he had built for this year's Discovery Channel Biker Build-Off caught fire only a few miles from the final destination of Laconia Bike Week. The gas tank had been leaking for miles and finally caught fire causing the custom chopper with his special hubless wheel not to make it.

It was not long after that North Carolina Police pulled Billy Lane over for driving on the wrong side of the road and without a helmet. It is illegal to ride without a helmet in North Carolina. The arresting officer sites that he detected the smell of alcohol after making the traffic stop and Mr. Lane refused to take a breathalyser. It was for this reason that Mr. lanes drivers license was suspended.

Now in early September, a mans life was ended early, taken from the family and friends that knew and loved him. Gerald Morelock, 56, of Melbourne Beach used to visit the Sebastian Inlet park as a kid with his family. He loved to play the guitar and dreamed of one day moving from his hometown in Ohio to live in Sebastian. Gerry Morelock got his wish and even worked at the Sebastian Inlet Park where he spent many of his off hours fishing at the inlet. His family and friends gathered on September 17th at the inlet park to pay their respects and tell stories about Gerry's life and love of the area. A sad and tragical ending to this article. The motorcycle community has suffered the loss of two members by this happening. My prayers and sympathy for the family and friends of Gerald Morelock, may he rest in peace. I can only hope that from this point on, Billy Lane will do the right thing and I pray for his forgiveness and healing. The fact remains that what happened was created by not thinking and not doing the right thing. Since the results of the blood tests have returned with over double that allowed by the state of Florida it shows that Mr. lanes judgement was wrong from the moment he got behind the wheel.

Sources:

Motorcycle designer Lane charged with DUI in fatality
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060926/NEWS01/60926008/1075

A sad day and a loss to the motorcycle community

Motorcycle shop owner charged with manslaughter in biker's death

Large crowd eulogizes lost friend
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060918/NEWS01/609180315

Related:

Auto Negligence claim filed against Billy Lane and Dodge

When heroes become bad guys

Billy Lane faces DUI manslaughter charges

Hearing date set for Billy Lane in Florida DUI/Manslauter case