Other Stuff
Chopper builder hurt in fatal crash
Billy Lane's truck, motorcycle collide on A1A near Melbourne Beach
BY J.D. GALLOP
FLORIDA TODAY
After the accident. Custom chopper builder Billy Lane's Dodge truck is towed to
a police impound yard in Indian Harbour Beach. Malcolm Denemark, 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 head-on
traffic accident Monday that left a man riding a small moped 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 a double yellow-lined portion of A1A when his southbound 2006
Dodge Ram pickup collided with a northbound 1983 Yamaha moped.
The motorcyclist, identified as 56-year-old Melbourne Beach resident Gerald
Morelock, was wearing a helmet. He suffered extensive injuries during the
collision with the pickup and 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.
Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Patrick O'Neill confirmed that Morelick was riding
the small motor bike.
“But it was street legal,” O'Neill said this morning.
Miller said a passenger in the custom-painted black 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. Lane
was treated and released while Derrick remained in stable condition this
afternoon, hospital officials said.
Lane, a tattoo-adorned, dreadlocked chopper-building legend was semi-conscious
at the accident scene. He is known nationally 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
were sent to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement state lab for evaluation.
Employees contacted at Lane's Choppers Inc. this morning would not comment about
the accident.