This year’s end-of-riding season rally in Daytona Beach, Biketoberfest, was marred by a record number of motorcycle accidents and fatalities. As the 2013 weekend festival drew to a close, a total of four riders lost their lives and one was left seriously injured.
Biketoberfest is one of several annual gatherings for motorcycle enthusiasts held in Daytona Beach, Florida, for a four-day weekend each October. Enthusiasts from North America and around the world filled the streets of Daytona Beach for the annual event.
Two Fatal Crashes and One Injury Linked to Biketoberfest
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Ronald Salyer, 55, from Middleburg, died on U.S. 1 near Bunnell when his motorcycle collided with a van at about 10 p.m. on Saturday October 19th. FHP stated that Salyer was “immediately engulfed in flames” after the collision with the van on a divided highway.
Gary Wyatt, 65, of Interlachen, was driving the van northbound on US 1, in the opposite direction of Salyer and another motorcycle rider, Randall Hatcher, 54. Wyatt approached a vehicle that had stopped in the middle of an intersection and swerved left to avoid it, colliding with Salyer who was approaching in the oncoming lane. Salyer was pronounced dead on the scene by emergency responders. The other rider, Hatcher, was uninjured in the accident.
In Volusia County, Daytona Beach police reported that 33-year-old Cory Powell lost control of his motorcycle while proceeding north on Charles Street around 10:50 p.m. that Friday night. Powell’s motorcycle hit the curb and then a fence in front of a private residence. Powell, who wasn’t wearing a helmet, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not say why Powell lost control and did not comment about any involvement of alcohol.
Also near Daytona, a 32-year-old motorcyclist was seriously injured when a minivan pulled out in front of him, according to Florida troopers. Allen Brice Shepard, from St. Augustine, was transported to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach after he struck the van.
Shepard was also heading northbound on U.S. 1 just before 8:30 p.m. that Friday night. A 44-year-old woman, Samantha Goodridge, of Apopka, was driving her 2008 Honda van and crossed the northbound lanes of the divided highway to make a left turn into the southbound lanes, according to police reports. She allegedly did not see Shephard approaching and pulled out in front of the motorcycle. Alcohol was not involved either with Goodridge or Shepard, FHP found. Shepard was wearing a helmet but was transported by medevac to a regional hospital where he remains in serious condition. Goodridge was cited by police with violation of right of way.
References:
Daytona Beach News Journal
