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Chopper Builder Involved In Fatal Crash

POSTED: Tuesday, September 5, 2006
UPDATED: 6:18 pm EDT September 5, 2006

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, according to Local 6 News partner Florida Today.

The 9 p.m. crash 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, Florida Today reported.

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 Tuesday 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.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

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