Six Motorcycle Fatalities During the 2013 Daytona Biketoberfest

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on October 28, 2013

For the first time since 2011, there were tragic deaths at Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach. Six individuals died during the 2013 event which ran from Friday October 18 to Sunday October 20th. Biketoberfest is held annually as a gathering for bikers from across the nation, and includes bike shows, concerts, contests and other festivities.

Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the familes & friends of the victims involved in these tragic accidents.

Ronald Salyer: On October 20, 55 year old Ronald Salyer was riding his motorcycle about 10pm on U.S. 1 when he collided with a van and his bike immediately went up in flames. Witnesses say that the van was heading north when the driver tried to avoid a stalled vehicle and veered into the southbound lane. Mr. Salyer was heading south and struck the van head-on. A second motorcyclist, Randall Hatcher, was following Mr. Salyer and witnessed the crash. He survived with only minor injuries. The 65 year old operator of the van was Gary Wyatt and was not hurt.

Kevin Alley: 55 year old Kevin Alley of Valrico, Florida died on Monday morning October 21 at Halifax Health Medical Center. He succumbed to injuries incurred in an accident on Friday October 18. He was riding a Harley-Davidson on State Road 44 when it struck a curb and Alley was thrown from the motorcycle. He was not wearing a helmet and had serious head injuries. Police are still investigating the single-vehicle crash.

Rick Shaw & Eric Desy: Two riders died after a collision during training sessions at the Daytona International Speedway on October 17th. Rick Shaw, age 65, was a former AMA Superbike racer and current Team Hammer Advanced Riding School instructor and Eric Desy, age 45, was one of his students. The two were riding at a high rate of speed when the collision occurred. Amateur motorcyclists typically reach speeds of 150 mph on the track. Shaw was a retired police officer and held several records at the track.

Cory Powell: 33 year old Cory Powell of Orlando died on the first day of Biketoberfest. He was riding his motorcycle on Charles Street close to 11pm when it hit a curb and Powell was ejected from the bike. He hit a fence and was pronounced dead at the scene. Powell was not wearing a helmet and Palm Coast police are still investigating the cause of this single-vehicle accident.

Susanna Marquez: Two riders on their way to the event crashed in what witnesses claim was an apparent road rage incident in Seminole County on October 18. Susanna Marquez and her husband Carlos Marquez were riding in a pack of about fifty bikers on their way to Biketoberfest. Other riders say that a female driver of an SUV sped around them and then merged into the middle of the pack, directly in front of the Marquez couple. The SUV then put on their brakes, and to avoid a collision the Marquez’s swerved and lost control of their motorcycle. Susanna was pronounced dead at the scene and her husband incurred serious injuries. Police are not charging the driver of the SUV as it is not illegal to merge into a crowd of bikers.

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.