Billy Lane represented by Corporate Attorneys in civil suit
(Melbourne, Florida) October 26, 2006
F. Jeffrey Vernis ESQ with the firm of Vernis & Bowling has been named the attorney of record for chopper builder Billy Lane in the Brevard County civil suit for the wrongful death of Gerald Morelock.
Jeffrey Vernis filed several documents today with the Brevard County Clerks office, one of which was a Motion To Dismiss. Although Jeffrey Vernis was not yet named as the attorney for DaimlerChrysler, the web site for the firm lists DaimlerChrysler as one of the many clients of the Vernis & Bowling firm.
On October 2, the civil suit for the wrongful death of Gerald Morelock was filed by the Melbourne, Florida law firm of Nance Cacciatore and Hamilton naming William D. Lane and DaimlerChrysler as defendants. The suit was filed on behalf of Dolores J. Morelock and the estate of Gerald V. Morelock which was amended on October 6 to include punitive damages.
Gerald Morelock was killed Labor Day weekend when the 2006 custom Dodge truck that was being operated by Billy Lane struck him head-on. Witnesses of the September 4th wreck stated that Billy Lane had crossed the doubled yellow line on State Road A1A while attempting to pass 3 vehicles. The witnesses also commented that Lane continued to pass regardless of the oncoming motor scooter that was being driven by victim Gerald Morelock and that he was speeding.
Although Lane was requested to submit to blood alcohol tests several times, he refused to do so. It was not until over 45 minutes after the crash that FHP troopers read the Implied Consent and Lane was still not cooperative even with knowledge of death. FHP Troopers then told Billy Lane that because there was a death and serious injury involved that they were going to take the blood for testing. A registered nurse withdrew the blood sample and it was sent to the FDLE crime lab for testing.
September 22, 2006 the results of the BAC were returned from the crime lab to the investigating Officer. The result was 0.192% which is more than twice the legal limit of impairment for Billy Lane. The results revealed Billy Lane to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage at the time of his traffic crash. Billy Lane turned himself in 3 days later accompanied by his attorneys and was released on 15,000.00 bond only 90 minutes later.
Billy Lane faced criminal charges of DUI Manslaughter, DUI Serious Bodily Injury and Driving while License Suspended/Revoked With Serious Injury or Death at the time of his arrest. The States Attorneys Office has only officially charged Lane with Felony DUI Manslaughter on October 19, while filing no information on the other two charges. Billy Lane is scheduled to appear before Judge Allawas on November 9 at 9:00 am at the Brevard County court in Viera, Florida on criminal charges. No date has been set for the civil suit at this time.
Gerald Morelock was a park ranger at the Sebastian Inlet State Park and was riding his 1983 Yamaha motor scooter at the time of the crash. Gerry Morelock had visited the park with his parents in his youth and it was his dream to move to the area and live when he got older. The funeral for Gerry was held at the Sebastian Inlet Park where many friends and relatives gathered to say goodbye to the 56 year old man. Gerald Morelock’s ashes were scattered to the wind with a beautiful sunset on the water at the Sebastian Inlet Park where he worked and fished.
Billy Lane is owner of the Melbourne, Florida motorcycle company Choppers Inc. and gained the public attention as a winner in the Discovery Channel’s Great Biker Build-Off and also Appeared on Monster Garage.
DaimlerChrysler is the corporation for Dodge, owners of the 2006 custom Dodge pickup that was being operated by Billy Lane on the night of the crash. The civil suit claims that DaimlerChrysler was negligent in allowing a person with a history of bad driving to operate their vehicles. Billy Lane was out on bond on the date of the crash for refusing to submit to a breathalyser when he was pulled over by the North Carolina Police for driving on the wrong side of the road and without a helmet.
Please go to Bikers Voice for comments and discussion on this post.
Technorati Tags: dui, dwi, drunk driving, billy lane, dodge, daimlerchrysler, law, case research, motorcycle news, celebrities, lawyer
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October 27th, 2006 at 8:04 am
I would like to see what the civil attorneys filed in response to the Morelock families civil suit. I heard that the defense is that Billy was not driving the truck the 22 year old passenger was driving at the time of the accident.
I hope that you can answer this question. I am very disappointed with how this seems to be going. The Morelock family have to be even more disappointed. I am still confused as to why two charges were dropped by the State’s Attorney.
October 28th, 2006 at 11:53 am
I hope that you are right. Got my info from a private investigator regarding Erin saying she was driving. Yes, I read the newspaper and every FHP report says that Billy was driving and you have reported he was driving. I wonder what she has to say as a witness??? She has yet to sue.
I am sure you are watching everything going on in this case both civil and criminal. I believe what you dig up before I believe ANYTHING else. I have read several blog sites regarding this accident. I will forward you the site when I find it again. Must say I have read more info online than the newspaper. I read your site before I have my coffee and read the newspaper.
November 4th, 2006 at 10:17 pm
I like to watch billy build bikes but it is time to step up step up to the plate and be a man and pay for his
mistake we all make them .
October 27th, 2006 at 8:01 pm
Sandie,
I am not sure where you might be getting that type of information.
The FHP report clearly states: “the defendant (Billy Lane) was placed behind the wheel by the front right passenger at the time of this traffic crash. Upon arrival of the Brevard County Fire Department and Paramedics stated that Billy Lane was in the driver seat.”
That information you were given is just wrong. There is no way that will hold up if it was part of the defense. The witnesses all state who was driving and the fire paramedics back it up.
October 28th, 2006 at 8:37 pm
LOL Sandie.
Thanks for the compliments. : )
My guess is she will testify that she had too much to drink to remember anything. I am sure there will be some surprises in there though. The interesting thing with her will be how well she remembers what she said in the deposition.
November 30th, 2006 at 2:37 pm
Billy Lane will be giving an interview on the Scott Ferrall show on Sirius Radio tonight channel 101 around 6 pm.
November 30th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
sorry the show starts at 8pm
December 1st, 2006 at 5:28 am
Damn, I missed that interview. Any way to get a copy or transcript of the show Rick?
December 2nd, 2006 at 4:42 pm
I think that this Billy Lane interview that was to be, was not for real. First off this guy, Scott Ferrall is a sports commentator. Although his segment runs on the Howard Stern show. Truthfully, would Lane do an interview with a guy that is advertising that he is going to tell the whole story?
December 2nd, 2006 at 5:15 pm
Well did anybody hear the interview?? I find it hard to believe that Lane would give a interview because I would think his lawyers both criminal and civil would advise Lane to keep his mouth shut!!!
December 2nd, 2006 at 5:29 pm
Rumor is that the interview was rescheduled. Billy Lane was sick with the flu and could not speak with a sore throat.
Is there going to be an interview? hmmmm I remember one of the biggest PR stunts in history.
Paul is dead. I am the walrus koo koo ka choo
December 4th, 2006 at 8:43 pm
sorry i missed it to. was out deer hunting and forgot it was on. if i hear when it rescheduled ill post it.
December 4th, 2006 at 11:59 pm
OK Rick, Thanks for checking back. I hear that it was postponed because he had the flu and could not speak well. It was supposed to happen Saturday, but I have not heard anything.
I sent an email to Scott Ferrall, but did not receive a response.
December 19th, 2006 at 2:15 am
I do not think that you will ever get a reply from Scott Ferrall. No lawyer would let Billy Lane give a interview. Just ask Cyndi Bear!!! A GOOD lawyer is telling Billy to keep his mouth shut and make no comments. What could Billy say?????? Anything Billy says can and will be used against him in a court of law. What really gets my goat is that Billy acts like nothing has happened and life goes on for him the way it did before he ran over a biker and killed him. I got to tell you…..I do not think I would ever be the same.
December 19th, 2006 at 2:31 am
I think it was no more than a ploy for publicity for his show. People have done worse for publicity, I guess.