Six Bikers Die at 2013 Daytona Biketoberfest

Six bikers died tragically at the 2013 Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach which ran from Friday to Sunday, October 18-20th. Five bikers died during the official event, while one person perished on their way to the festivities. Biketoberfest is an annual event celebrating the biker culture, including live music, food, contents, classic bike shows and more. These are the first deaths at the event since 2011.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of everyone involved in these tragic motorcycle accidents.

Rick Shaw & Eric Desy: On October 17 at the Daytona International Speedway, two men perished in an accident that occurred while they were riding during a training session. Sixty-five year old Rick Shaw, who was a Team Hammer Advanced Riding School instructor was in a collision with his student, forty-five year old Eric Desy. Shaw held several records on the Daytona track and was a former police officer.

Cory Powell: Orlando resident Cory Powell was in a one-vehicle accident on October 18th. The thirty-three year old man’s motorcycle hit a curb while on Charles Street and he was ejected from the bike. His body then struck a fence and Powell was pronounced dead at the scene. Palm Coast police do not know the cause of the accident, but said that Powell was not wearing a helmet.

Ronald Salyer: Around 10pm on October 20th, fifty-five year old Ronald Salyer died in a fiery crash on U.S. 1. Salyer was heading South when a van heading North veered into the Southbound lane and struck Salyer. Fellow motorcyclist Randall Hatcher was behind Salyer and witnessed the accident, and suffered just minor injuries. The driver of the van was sixty-five year old Gary Wyatt, who was unhurt. Wyatt was trying to avoid a stalled vehicle.

Kevin Alley: Valrico resident Kevin Alley perished on October 21 at Halifax Health Medical Center, from injuries he incurred in an accident on October 18th. The fifty-five year old was travelling on State Road 44 when his Harley-Davidson hit a curb. Alley was thrown from the bike and experienced severe head injuries. Police are unsure of the cause of the single-vehicle crash and said that Alley was not wearing a helmet.

Susanna Marquez: On October 18 Susanna Marquez and her husband Carlos Marquez were riding through Seminole County to the Daytona Biketoberfest event. They were travelling in a pack of about 50 riders who say the couple were the victims of an SUV driver with road rage. The SUV merged into the pack and slowed down, making the Marquez couple have to swerve. Their bike crashed and Susanna died at the scene, while her husband suffered serious injuries. It is not illegal to merge into a pack of motorcycles, so police are not charging the SUV driver.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.