Billy Lane

Infobox person
name = Billy Lane

---

image_size = 150px
birth_date = February 6, 1970
birth_place = Miami, Florida
death_date =
death_place =
nationality = American
alma_mater = Florida State University
Florida International University
known_for = Actor, motorcycle customizer
spouse =

William David (Billy) Lane (born February 6, 1970 in Miami, Florida) builds custom motorcycles (choppers) and is the owner of Choppers Inc. in Melbourne, Florida. He has become well known due to his appearances in numerous shows on the Discovery Channel, mainly Biker Build-Off. He holds seven US patents on motorcycle parts and accessories. Lane 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.

eptember 2006 Florida Accident

On September 5, 2006, Billy Lane, driving a promotional 2006 Dodge Ram on Florida Route A1A, crossed a double yellow line to pass two cars -- striking head-on the 1983 Yamaha scooter ridden by 56-year old Gerald Morelock, 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. [cite web|url=http://www.flatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060905/BREAKINGNEWS/60905003
title=Chopper builder hurt in fatal crash|date=2006-09-11|last=Gallop|first=J.D] Lane turned himself in Monday, September 25th in connection with the accident and faces charges that include driving under influence and manslaughter. Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) spokeswoman, Kim Miller said Lane’s blood alcohol level was .192 when the accident occurred. The legal limit in Florida is 0.08. [cite web
url=http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060925/BREAKINGNEWS/60925014/1086/rss07
last=Gallop
first=J.D
title=Billy Lane faces charges in fatal crash
date=2006-09-25] The family of victim has filed a lawsuit against Lane and DaimlerChrysler. [cite web
url=http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061006/BREAKINGNEWS/610060334/1086
last=Torres
first=John
title=Bike-builder Lane faces lawsuit
date=2006-10-06] Billy Lane entered a plea of "not guilty" the day he was officially charged with the second-degree felony. [cite web
url=http://www.wpbf.com/news/10120041/detail.html
title=Discovery Channel Star Pleads Not Guilty In Biker's Death
date=2006-10-20] The incident has polarized the biker community, with some motorcyclists calling for stiffer penalties because he is a biker, as well as other motorcyclists calling for leniency because he is a biker. [cite web
url=http://www.whybike.com/blog/index.php?p=131#comments
title=Billy Lane Crash Coverage
date=2006-09-09]

Lane's lawyers are currently attempting to get Lane's blood evidence excluded from the case. Prosecutors contend that Lane's blood alcohol limit should be admissible but defense attorneys believe poor handling of the samples by police may have led to contamination and created a false high alcohol level [cite web|url=http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080108/BREAKINGNEWS/80108053&template=news0305
title=Lawyers want Billy Lane's blood tested in Colorado] . On Jan. 18 2008 a Brevard County judge will hear the defense’s request to send Lane’s blood samples to Colorado for testing during a motion hearing [cite web|url=http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080108/BREAKINGNEWS/80108053&template=news0305
title=Lawyers want Billy Lane's blood tested in Colorado] .

In June 2006, Lane had been arrested by the North Carolina Highway Patrol and charged with drunk driving. He was eventually found to be not guilty. [cite web
url=http://www.thebeachcruiser.com/blog/2006/10/06/billy-lane-cleared-in-north-carolina-case.html
last=Moore
first=Kimberly
title=Biker cleared in N.C. case
date=2006-10-06]

Closures at his shop, Choppers, Inc., around the time of his arrests were merely coincidental. Choppers, Inc.'s retail location has been upgraded to better accommodate walk-in traffic. The closures were due to this upgrade. [cite web
url=http://www.brainbucketmag.com/News/article/sid=604.html
last=Newbern
first=Michael
title=Business as Usual at Choppers Inc
date=2006-09-28]

Filmography

* Monster Garage
* Big!
* Biker Build-Off
* Corbin's Ride On!

Patents

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References

External links

* [http://www.choppersinc.com Choppers Inc.]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1348093/ Billy Lane @ IMDB]