Leesburg BikeFest Sees Few Problems This Year
Each year, hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts descend upon the annual Leesburg BikeFest. Last year’s event was marred by several high-profile accidents, but this year the event was relatively injury free.
"From a public-safety perspective, I would say the event went very well," Leesburg Police Department spokesman Lt. Joe Iozzi told local media. "There weren’t any major issues with the crowds. For the most part, everyone was well-behaved."
Law enforcement officials say one accident occurred on April 27. Police found 71-year-old James L. Mulvaney, of Leesburg, lying in the center medium strip. It’s unclear whether he crashed his motorcycle or had some sort of medical condition. Mulvaney was airlifted to a local hospital. Local media reports did not have his condition after the accident.
The only other accident occurred at around 2 a.m. That was when 23-year-old Matt Neil, of South Carolina, lost control of his motorcycle and hit a light pole. He was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Ocala, Florida. Police did not indicate if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the accident. Emergency personnel reported a few minor incidents and other problems associated with BikeFest were mostly related to heat. The weather was warm and muggy.
A couple of people were arrested for DUI and disorderly conduct, however. Ronald Brown was charged with DUI after trying to drive his car down a road that was reserved for pedestrians during BikeFest. 45-year-old Jeremy Corr, of Tavares, FL, was charged with disorderly intoxication after he began yelling racial slurs.
Also, a young couple, who described themselves and boyfriend and girlfriend, were arrested after police clocked them at 110 m.p.h. They were each riding a motorcycle and said they were racing.
Last year, Leesburg City Commissioner Jay Hurley was involved in a fatal accident. He turned his pickup truck in front of a motorcycle. Steve Tuttle, 46, died from injuries that he suffered in the accident. Hurley was cited with a traffic offense but was never charged with a crime.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Florida motorcycle accident, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. immediately at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) for a free initial consultation.
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.