Billy Lane
Encyclopedia
For other people of the same name see Billy Lane (angler)
and Billy Lane (footballer)
William David (Billy) Lane (born February 6, 1970 in Miami, Florida
) is widely known as a builder of custom motorcycle
s, owner of Choppers Inc. in Melbourne, Florida
— and for his 2009 conviction following a drunk-driving incident in 2006, where Lane's driving resulted in the death of another cyclist and his own current incarceration in Florida.
Lane became well known from his appearances on the Discovery Channel
show Biker Build-Off
.
He holds seven US
patents on motorcycle parts and accessories and has authored two books, an autobiography, Billy Lane's Chop Fiction: It's not a Motorcycle, Baby, It's a Chopper (2004, Motorbooks International) and Billy Lane's How to Build Old School Choppers, Bobbers And Customs (2005, Motorbooks International). Lane also holds an Associate in Science degree in Mechanical Engineering
from Florida State University
as well as a Bachelor in Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Florida International University
, graduating in 1997.
On September 5, 2006, driving a promotional 2006 Dodge Ram
on Florida Route A1A, his driving license having been revoked in a previous incident in North Carolina, Lane crossed a double yellow line to pass two cars, striking head-on the 1983 Yamaha scooter ridden by 56-year old, Gerald Morelock, who was traveling in the oncoming lane. Morelock suffered extensive injuries during the collision with the vehicle driven by Lane and was pronounced dead at the scene. Morelock was a park ranger at Sebastian Inlet State Park
.
Lane turned himself in on Monday, September 21 in connection with the fatal crash, facing charges including driving under the influence
and manslaughter
, his BAC
having registered 0.192 at the scene of the crash, more than twice legal limit in Florida of 0.08. Gerald Morelock's family filed a lawsuit against Lane and Chrysler
. Billy Lane entered a plea of "not guilty" the day he was officially charged with the second-degree felony.
The incident drew contrasting responses from the motorcycle community, with some calling for stiffer penalties because Lane was himself a motorcyclist and others calling for leniency for the same reason.
On August 14, 2009, Lane was convicted (pleading no contest) on one count of vehicular homicide and sentenced to 6 years in prison, 3 years of supervised probation, and loss — for life — of his drivers license. In arguing for the maximum sentence, the prosecuting attorney cited speeding violations and a pattern of poor driving on Lane’s driving record. A judge had earlier approved a plea deal where prosecutors dropped the felony DUI and manslaughter charges. Prior to the plea deal, Lane had been facing up to 30 years in prison. Lane is currently incarcerated at the Avon Park Work Camp with a projected release date of 6/7/2015.
Previously, in June 2006, Lane had also been arrested by the North Carolina Highway Patrol and charged with drunk driving. After refusing to take a breathalyzer
test at the scene and leaving prosecutors without evidence presentable in court, Lane was found not guilty. Because his license had, however, been revoked in North Carolina, he had lost his right to drive in Florida at the time of the fatal crash.
Closures at the shop at the time of his arrests were coincidental. Choppers, Inc.'s retail location had been undergoing renovation, causing the closures.
Billy Lane (angler)
For other people of the same name see Billy Lane and Billy Lane Billy Lane was an English angler and author. Lane a son of a Coventry fishing tackle shop owner was a well known match fisherman of the mid 20th century. In the 1950s he became the captain of the Coventry National Championship team...
and Billy Lane (footballer)
Billy Lane (footballer)
For other people of the same name see Billy Lane and Billy Lane William Henry Charles 'Billy' Lane was an English footballer who played for the London City Mission, Gnome Athletic, Park Avondale, Summerstown, Barnet, Tottenham Hotspur, Northfleet United, Leicester City, Walsall , Reading,...
William David (Billy) Lane (born February 6, 1970 in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
) is widely known as a builder of custom motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s, owner of Choppers Inc. in Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
— and for his 2009 conviction following a drunk-driving incident in 2006, where Lane's driving resulted in the death of another cyclist and his own current incarceration in Florida.
Lane became well known from his appearances on the Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
show Biker Build-Off
Biker Build-Off
Biker Build-Off is a reality television series for the Discovery Channel. Created and narrated by Thom Beers, the series was originally conceived as a single special called The Great Biker Build-Off...
.
He holds seven US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
patents on motorcycle parts and accessories and has authored two books, an autobiography, Billy Lane's Chop Fiction: It's not a Motorcycle, Baby, It's a Chopper (2004, Motorbooks International) and Billy Lane's How to Build Old School Choppers, Bobbers And Customs (2005, Motorbooks International). Lane also holds an Associate in Science degree in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
from Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
as well as a Bachelor in Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Florida International University
Florida International University
Florida International University is an American public research university in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States, with its main campus in University Park...
, graduating in 1997.
September 2006 drunk-driving fatal crash
Dodge Ram
The Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by the Chrysler Group LLC. As of late 2010, it has been sold under the Ram Trucks brand. Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge lineup of light trucks...
on Florida Route A1A, his driving license having been revoked in a previous incident in North Carolina, Lane crossed a double yellow line to pass two cars, striking head-on the 1983 Yamaha scooter ridden by 56-year old, Gerald Morelock, who was traveling in the oncoming lane. Morelock suffered extensive injuries during the collision with the vehicle driven by Lane and was pronounced dead at the scene. Morelock was a park ranger at Sebastian Inlet State Park
Sebastian Inlet State Park
Sebastian Inlet State Park is a Florida State Park located 10 miles south of Melbourne Beach and 6 miles north of Vero Beach, Florida. The park lies on both sides of the Sebastian Inlet, which forms the boundary between Brevard and Indian River counties. The land for the park was acquired by the...
.
Lane turned himself in on Monday, September 21 in connection with the fatal crash, facing charges including driving under the influence
Driving under the influence
Driving under the influence is the act of driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit...
and manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Dracon in the 7th century BC.The law generally differentiates...
, his BAC
Blood alcohol content
Blood alcohol content , also called blood alcohol concentration, blood ethanol concentration, or blood alcohol level is most commonly used as a metric of alcohol intoxication for legal or medical purposes....
having registered 0.192 at the scene of the crash, more than twice legal limit in Florida of 0.08. Gerald Morelock's family filed a lawsuit against Lane and Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
. Billy Lane entered a plea of "not guilty" the day he was officially charged with the second-degree felony.
The incident drew contrasting responses from the motorcycle community, with some calling for stiffer penalties because Lane was himself a motorcyclist and others calling for leniency for the same reason.
On August 14, 2009, Lane was convicted (pleading no contest) on one count of vehicular homicide and sentenced to 6 years in prison, 3 years of supervised probation, and loss — for life — of his drivers license. In arguing for the maximum sentence, the prosecuting attorney cited speeding violations and a pattern of poor driving on Lane’s driving record. A judge had earlier approved a plea deal where prosecutors dropped the felony DUI and manslaughter charges. Prior to the plea deal, Lane had been facing up to 30 years in prison. Lane is currently incarcerated at the Avon Park Work Camp with a projected release date of 6/7/2015.
Previously, in June 2006, Lane had also been arrested by the North Carolina Highway Patrol and charged with drunk driving. After refusing to take a breathalyzer
Breathalyzer
A breathalyzer or breathalyser is a device for estimating blood alcohol content from a breath sample...
test at the scene and leaving prosecutors without evidence presentable in court, Lane was found not guilty. Because his license had, however, been revoked in North Carolina, he had lost his right to drive in Florida at the time of the fatal crash.
Closures at the shop at the time of his arrests were coincidental. Choppers, Inc.'s retail location had been undergoing renovation, causing the closures.
Filmography
- Monster GarageMonster GarageMonster Garage is a television show for the Discovery Channel hosted by Jesse G. James. Each episode is an hour in length and was conceived and produced by Thom Beers.The show aired the series finale on June 12, 2006. Jesse G...
- Big!Big!Big! is a TV series in which an episode consists of a team of engineers manufacturing the world's biggest items for the sake of setting world records.The devices have to function to qualify.The series originally aired on Discovery Channel in...
- Biker Build-OffBiker Build-OffBiker Build-Off is a reality television series for the Discovery Channel. Created and narrated by Thom Beers, the series was originally conceived as a single special called The Great Biker Build-Off...
- Corbin's Ride On!
- Blood, Sweat, and Gears Tour DVD starring Aaron Green, Kendall Johnson, Mondo Porras, Paul Cox and Jennifer Scott