Erin Derrick, the passenger of Billy Lane on the night of the crash that took the life of Gerald Morelock has filed civil suit against Lane and Chrysler. The complaint states:
1- That at the time of the September 4, 2006 accident, defendant Lane was operating the vehicle even though he knew or should have known that his license was either suspended or should have been suspended by the State Of North Carolina while awaiting sentencing on a driving under the influence charge. 2- That at the time of the accident, Defendant Lane was operating the Dodge truck while intoxicated. 3- That as a result of Defendant Lane’s negligence, Plaintiff suffered bodily injury that is permanent within a reasonable degree of medical probability and resultant pain and suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, expensive hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment, loss of earnings, loss of ability to earn money and aggravation of a previously existing condition. That the losses are either permanent or continuing and that Plaintiff will suffer losses in the future. 4- Plaintiff demands judgment for damages against William D. Lane and Chrysler LLC. And further requests a trial by jury.
Lane and Dodge reached a civil lawsuit settlement with the family of the victim last year. Billy is still waiting for his trial date to fight a DUI manslaughter charge. Next to her picture in MySpace, Erin wrote these words: “I am so sorry…but I had to do it”. (Article written with the collaboration of Mike Odom at MNO).
It took her 20 moths to understand how to make money. Or she met a lawyer in a bar.
If this picture was taken after the accident, she looks fine to me. Even able to do some work…
If you are a lady and travel with a guy you know intoxicated, you face the consequences. This lawsuit is going to be dismissed.
i dont think it will be dismissed. the idea is to sue, not expecting to win, but expecting the person your suing to settle. so you sue for a million and settle for 1/2. your still up though.
she requested a jury because the majority of people are against drunk drivers. and the fact that she was injured by a drunk driver will help her out even more. medical biils that stem from the accident, are another plus for her. HE was driving. HE was drunk. He knew better. thats what her lawyer will say.
My personal thoughts are, first, as a woman,(myself) Billy Lane is an “attractive ” man. But then put in the “celebrity ” factor, she knew who she was hanging out with the night of the accident. I have seen Billy many, many times, women hang all over him because of the above reasons, Unfortunately they don’t care , who or what kind of man he was or is, if you have that much exposer.
I hope for Billy’s sake she really was someone who was into “Billy” the man and not the bike builder. Obviously she was only after the bike builder, not the man himself. Then to wait 20 months! You know she got more coaxing by everyone on how much money she would make by a lawsuit.
Sorry I do not beleive the myspace apology. If she really was a real friend of Billy, Billy himself would have made sure she was taken care of! That I know for a fact!
She’s just an old fashioned Gold digger as they used to say…and waiting 20 months proves it!!!
i agree with Karend6656. but in the same vein, Mr. Lane was (at the time) an old fashioned drunk with no driver’s license.
the whole thing is a bad deal. from every side.
anyone know what her injuries were? how extensive they were?
drunk drivers and drunk passengers like her are why insurance costs so much and lawyers can charge so much.
the lawyers are the winners here. everyone else is losing.
especially the family of the man that was killed.
Alcohol mixed with women can be you worst enemy. Sorry that Billy Lane had to learn this way.
If you are a lady and travel with a guy you know intoxicated, you face the consequences. This lawsuit is going to be dismissed.
I agree with Gina here. This is all very unfortunate for everyone involved including the man who was killed. He had also been drinking himself and like Billy, neither one should have been operating a vehicle at the time. And Bruce you are right on when you wrote that acohol mixed with women can be your worst enemy.
Well…This just puts an end to folks that are guessing that Lane’s defense would be Erin was driving the night Morelock got killed. We teach our children not to drive drunk, and don’ ride with a drunk, especially one who has no drivers license. I see Cyril wrote this article with Mike Odom. How can you have a blog written from a bikers view…Mike Odom’s blog …Odom has no bike and does not ride. The Morelock family seem to have got over Lane running over their brother, uncle and son as they are quite chummy and now millionaires. Guess the big settlement that made the Morelock’s millionaires has helped them deal with the grief. I say the Morelock family is hoping to cash in on Billy Lane’s fame.
To Warrior. My post is only factual, There is no point of view. Mike Odom provided me with the court document. That’s it.
Rainbow. I think that Cyril does the right think by not expressing a personal opinion on a pending lawsuit. He states the facts and only the facts, as a journalist would do, but let his readers express their opinions. I really think that many who have written dumb things about Billy Lane are going to be surprised by what can happen during the next months. Now, we know that the passenger is not going to be a witness for the defense. What’s next?
Think it will hurt Dodges bottom line…after all they have deep pockets even after they discount her at least 50% for contributory negilgence by getting in with Billy after watching him get drunk, and the lawyers get their p.c.
I have to tell you, this entire thing She is doing is literally eating away at me. John Magee (my boyfriend) and I were just out to dinner,John is Bandit Machine works, and knows Billy very well, I went on to Erins’ myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/erinderrick423 . She just had a birthday in April, she turned 24, lots of “party” pics. Sorry I stand by my first comment even more, this girl,
If she was as “hurt” and damaged as she says, those pics would be completly different. Besides if she was so badly hurt,, why isn’t there ONE COMMENT asking how she is doing in all of her friends comments??? I know when I have friends that have been in any type of accident you immediately ask, how are you feeling or what progress are you making… Her profile also says she is in a relationship!.. this is what part of her suit reads: “Plaintiff suffered bodily injury that is permanent within a reasonable degree of medical probability and resultant pain and suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life,”
If all of this is TRUE, how is she in a NEW relationship? (Loss of capacity for the enjoyment for life,) go look at her party pics..(from this past April 2008) . Damn… can’t the attorneys see the writing on the wall??
As a woman, we all know, if you are hurt and “damaged” that bad, there is no way in hell you are out looking for a “New Relationship” Even if she met him before the accident 20 months ago, then what the hell was she doing out drinking with another man (Billy)???? Says a lot about her character!!!
Sure maybe she got a little hurt but her my space proves everything is not as her lawsuit says!!! It is women like her that give the rest of us women a very bad name.
God help all you men who meet women like Erin Derrick, sure she is beautiful, but look beyond that face and body!!! There are only $$$ signs in her eyes..
Sorry forgot one thing, check out her myspace page, she is now a blonde with the new boyfriend, and honestly not disfigured at all. the new picture is right underneath the one shown here on Cyril’s blog…
RE:
“….aggravation of a previously existing condition…”
Ya mean like a terminal case of Stupid…..???
-nicker-
I guess nothing cures an injury like sleeping on a big pile of cash.
Mans ruin!!!
Thought of the day. If sex would not exist, men & women would have a better understanding of each other.
“If all of this is TRUE, how is she in a NEW relationship? ”
That makes zero sense. Is her life supposed to be completely on hold? I’m not defending her actions in any way, but calling bullshit where bullshit stinks.
Including Chrysler in the case makes zero sense as well.
Nothing you say or Erin says changes the fact that everyone needs to wake the f ‘up about drunk driving.
If she does settle (or wins litigation), let’s see if all parties, including the lawyers, do anything with the proceeds towards drunk driving awareness and reduction.
If the table was turned (Billy was on his bike and a drunk driving pickup driver obliterated Billy’s life), a different message would be all over the place within the motorcycle community.
No offense to Mr. Lane – we just all need to focus on reducing drunk driving
shit just when Billy was starting to see the end of the tunnel and making plans for his future
but then again we all kinda knew this would happen with the chick in the truck sooner than later
hope for best for Billy, he is too talented to go in the can
The “injured” against the “intoxicated”. Who will win? Front of a jury, the “injured” of course. Put 5 women in the jury, and the damages are going to be sky high.
Lane was drunk. Lane killed a human being. Lane should go to jail. 150 years ago he would have have worn a hemp necktie.
this isnt an attack on billy. he probably doesnt have two quarters to rub together. dodge is the target, i would assume the germans will have to pay this one, not the new owners. there is a big thing on the news today. little leager is hit in the chest by a ball hit by an aluminum bat. and is injured badly. parents suing the bat company.
I agree, Mike. Dodge is the target because Billy Lane has no money.,(he never had much even before his accident). Problem is that to be able to sue, Erin Derrick is stating that Billy was drunk. So, it’s more bad news for him and his defense lawyers.
I dont agree with what this broad is doing but who is really surprised? This is the world we live in. If judges and juries hadnt set precedents in the past to pay people like this for their own ignorance, none of us would be dealing with crap like this.
You are guaranteed three things in life:
1) Die
2) Pay taxes
3) Be involved in a law suit
how can Chrysler, the aluminum bat company, etc. possibly be included ?
Lemme guess, the bat company didn’t have a warning, saying: “Baseballs may come directly at you when another person uses this bat . You have to catch the ball or bodily injury may result”
Why aren’t the parents suing the glove company?
Next step ? Sue the logging company that cut the tree down that was used to make the bat.
There’s a price to pay for getting behind the wheel or the bars when drunk. Most people get away with it and that’s why they keep doing it and that’s why people die. The majority of people don’t agree with driving while intoxicated, only drunks agree with it and innocent people get hurt and die because of their selfishness. Booze and women, booze and bikes, booze and pickup trucks, all are bad ideas. I could care less if this woman sues Billy Lane and I don’t think Billy Lane is talented enough to not pay for his mistakes. Whether a person can build a custom bike or not, we should all be judged equally when it comes to driving drunk and taking a life.
Troy is right! If this was you or I that took a person’s life by drinking and driving, we would spend the rest of our lives paying for it. A celebrity should be no different. Her lawsuit will be minimal, as she is alive and well. If Billy were to stripped of everything he has done and built, and obtained in his life, and spent the rest of his life working with victims of drinking and driving accidents, it would still never be enough. There have to be consequences for ill advised actions. It is really too bad that the rock star lifestyle led to this unfortunate accident that ruined not just one life, but those lives of all adversly affected but this accident. He might not have meant to, but he still killed someone. If she is dishonest, then she will get hers. Don’t think Dodge will roll over and pay her.
This particular Blog isn’t about Billy Lane being drunk and not responsible, he himself has admitted his guilt that isn’t the argument here and now, it is about how this girl Erin after 20 months deceids to take legal action. If she really is or was as seriously hurt as her legal papers says she is, all of this legal crap should have happened with in the first 60-90 days. That is when you body lets you know , shit I’m not working like I used to… my feelings… she is full of shit. period. all this girl can see is $$$$ signs.
Everyone here on this blog, myself included at one point or another in their life and no one can ever say “NOT ME” has gone out ,had a drink or two or maybe 40 who knows, but even if it was one friggin beer it is still wrong. So everyone needs to stop judging Billy. We have ALL DONE IT.
Only ,he is the celebrity who everyone wants to hang out to dry, for being drunk. Honestly all of you everywhere, ask yourself, and be honest, what about the family Christmas party, or the family anniversary celebration you went too, or even the birth of your family memembers child, we all had a toast or drinks, and you know what, we all got in our cars, trucks or bikes and drove home! It is the same thing, only we didn’t kill someone. Or maybe some of us have…. This isn’t about Billy Lane anymore, It is about an ingnorant 24 year old who knew she was getting into his truck drunk, Just take a look at her myspace page, this girl is NOT DEFORMED at all, she is very pretty, even in one picture behind the wheel of her car. So how bad is she???
Please leave Billy out of this one… Trash on the Golddigger. She is the one now who is in the wrong!
Well here it is 5/19/08 7:30 pm Eastern time, and only 5 hours ago Erin’s Profile on myspace was a public site, she has now made it “PRIVATE” WHAT DOES THAT TELL EVERYONE???? Hiding the truth maybe…
Dear Karen6656,
My my what an angry little girl you must be……………you said you wish everyone would stop judging Billy but that is exactly what you are doing to Erin, judging without all the facts, you have no earthly idea what you are talking about, oh my boyfriend knows BIlly really well,(who cares), well sounds like to me you would like to be the one hanging all over him…… who cares what color Erin’s hair is, what color is yours? who cares if she shuts down her myspace, maybe it is because people like you stalk her, you guys have no idea what is going on……………..maybe one day, little miss perfect you or your child or loved one might be faced in a similar situation and everyone can judge you and stalk you…………but you would probably like it. Dont’ get me wrong I think what has happened is a horrible thing but it is not up to me to judge anyone until I walk a mile in their shoes, that goes for Billy, Erin or anyone else that I don’t have all the facts and don’t know what I am talking about. NONE of you people have the facts, it is amusing listening to all you ! You should all have your own reality show and make up all the lines as you go ! LOL
Oh yeh Karen, you asked what does private tell everyone, it means you can’t stalk her anymore.
I think is is she was being nice in waiting before she sued. She let the family and the parties settle before she ask for what she was entitled to. And remember she was a young girl hangin with Billy and yes I belive that she probabley knew he was drunk as she had been parting whit him that day. Damn Billy’s acts like Janis Joplin at times. Drunk, cocky and abnoxious is what got him in trouble at the Smokeout in June before this tragedy, and he didn’t learn from that one either. Billy chose to drink and drive and killed one person, ruined his life, and damn near killed her too. And you all think she’s in it for the money cause she is sueing. PS: I hope you all have the same attitude toward Easyriders when they start runnig the “Free Billy” articles and selling the shirts.
I read that there was court case that went to the California Supreme Court and blog writers on the internet are “NOT” considered journalists…….they in fact write their opinions. Florida State law gives you a two year statue of limitations to sue for personal injury…..looks like maybe Erin was just marking the days off her calendar.. Make my word, she will have out of court settlement for some big bucks. Poor thing most likely has whiplash and will have back pain the rest of her life.
Setting: Sunny
Girl at bar for Labor Day beach bash sees a man mobbed by adoring people. Having no clue who he is, inquires, and is informed that he’s on TV. With the aid of some liquid courage catalyst, she finally approaches the man who she never “done seen on the teevee box, but her friend’s boyfriend has”, and learnes that big bad scary motorcycles are involved. Motorcycles in which have been fashioned without comfy passenger seats. Investing hours of her afternoon, pours her own brand of batty-eyed pseudo admiration on just hard enough to stand out from the other lemmings in hopes to sit her bikini bottom on that rear fender of previously unknown moto cleb’s bike, then suceeds. Weeeee look at me bitches! Moves on to hit other spots for the rest of the day to work on her new hours-old relationship in full accord. Then agrees to accompany him homewardbound. Moral: For some presumably less complex women with little or no requirement of familarization, a tv appearance is reason enough to spread. Now got get your own show and star in that motherf@#ker!
Wafflehead:
Oh my gosh….you were at the beach bash that day and Billy was mobbed by adoring people?? were you one of those adoring fans????? Hey, you have all the facts you must have this on video, maybe one of the attorneys would like to buy it from you, it could be worth alot of money for you, why don’t you try and sell your video to someone who cares ? Or maybe this is your secret little fantasy dream of your own wishing you were the celeb, with the motorcycle and hot babe thing, cause you can’t get a babe on your own. I was there that day and there were no adoring fans hanging all over Billy and maybe he approached her, imagine that ! Of course how would you know about anything like that your name is WAFFLEHEAD!!
PS. Does that mean you like waffles or look like one ?
Patricia, you are probably an “Erin” want- to- Be… end of story….
she’ll get a settlement.
prob. wont even go to trial.
insurance companies will pay it out.
lawsuits dont need to and are rarely filed the day after an accident.
it takes time to prepare them as well as to determine what a persons injuries and treatment will be.
medical bills add up quickly.
just cuz she isnt all torn up doesnt mean her back doesnt hurt everyday or that she hasn’t been in therapy 3 times a week for 18 months.
and if it does go to trial, – injured vs. intoxicated.
done deal.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Patricia:
Maybe you are molding your own off-brand account of how it went down. Back then Billy was ALWAYS mobbed and you were just as diluted.
Many thanks for the advise on selling a video to make alot of money, but lets leave the ambulance chasing and vulturing to people already in hot pursuit of money not necessarily entitled to them.
See stranger. Meet stranger. Go home with stranger on motorcycle, hold the helmet. Oh, sue stranger. hahahahaha. If the accident didnt take place on the way home she would only have reason to sue for being easy and forgotten. Maybe she couldve sued herself.
WHY IS HE STILL RUNNING AROUND AND NOT LOCKED UP ?????
Because there is no trial, yet. For now, he is innocent until proven guilty. And nobody, including you, knows the facts and the truth.
Patricia,
After re -reading your comment to me about me, let me tell you some things, I am not a little girl, I am 52 and have been riding for over 30 years. Do I personally want to be with Billy Lane,? No, not my type, however, I do know him on a professional level (he deals with my boyfriends company) as well as personal. He is a good man! Yes with a drinking problem… Haven’t we all at one time or another had one???
He is doing everything in his power now to correct a very bad situation. As far as knowing the facts about your friend Erin, I do… more than you know. and the color of her hair comment, well lets see, as women, we all know how much work it takes to keep up being a bleach blonde (I am one as well) if you are in any kind of pain physically, due to an accident of ANY kind, doing the roots and maintaining that look takes work. A lot of work!
And as far as judging, I personally have walked that mile in both of their shoes, I have never said I didn’t. That is why I will continue to share my feelings on both of these issues, (Billy and Erin). I paid my dues in every way possible. and stalking her, HELL NO! her myspace page is posted on every bike site and blog on the internet.
And on a last note, I have BEEN judged and talked about online many times due to my mistakes, see you really do not know who I am, so you don’t know who you are speaking to, which is how I keep it now, so Miss Patricia, I do know what it is like to be judged and watched over. No one is “STALKING” her as you put it, but if you are going to take the action (legal) she is, then get your “myspace page” down. And then no one will know your personal life and business.
Any more questions?
Sorry, this suit isn’t going to amount to much. The first question will be- if there are real damages, then why did she wait 20 months to file an action?
This is a case of a lawyer who has convinced Ms Derrick, well after the fact, that she has an opportunity for some easy money. If Lane had good representation, then this case WILL go to trial, because Ms Derrick’s position won’t hold up under cross examination. Not only the delay in filing, but also her willingness to get into a vehicle with a man she certainly knew to be impared, etc. She has a weak case at best, and her attorney is no doubt hoping for a quick settlement- not gonna happen.
But hey- that’s why we play lotto……..
J Thank you !!!! I applaud you!!!!
If you look at Erin’s MySpace page, she looks just fine. On her old one, she even had pictures of herself partying the night she was involved in this accident. Also if the comments from her MySpace could have been posted now from that time, it would be seen that she wasn’t suffering to much. 24 year old trying to set her self up for life & this should be thrown out.
As to the question why isn’t Billy in jail. It’s called having a good lawyer. Also there is the fact that Byron Morelock is now a very forgiving man now that he is a millionaire & according to the MNO blog, he has been speaking with Billy Lane to work out a positive resolution to this ordeal. I will not be surprised to see a deal struck before the next June court date.
Brett,
Thank you for being honest. seems there are others here who just don’t see the truth as it really is. I remember Erins old Myspace page, I wasn’t going to bring it upi, only because I had no proof it existed, (why would I) and it was and still is she wasn’t suffering much at all.
And I agree she just wants to be set up for life, and I hope it is thrown out of court… thank you again…
Brett you are so right but I think Erin will most certainly “cash in”. It is quite odd how Byron is so forgiving now that his bank account has more money than his dead brother would have made in 10 lifetimes. Don’t feel quite so bad for the family of Gerald Morelock. Now they are trying to link themselves to Billy Lane’s fame and keep in the spotlight and news. Shame on the Morelock’s!!
Based on current standings in the trial the only thing that has been proven is that he crossed the line and unfortunately hit Mr. Morelock.. Will wait and see what the test results state on whether or not he was intoxicated. There certainly must have been some doubt in the test results for his legal team to take it this far.. They are taking a huge risk here…. If the results come back the same they have truly damaged themselves and potentially could position Billy to receive the maximum penalty. It would be interesting to find out what influenced Erin to file this lawsuit after all this time..
I dare to say that “MONEY”, “The ALMIGHTY DOLLAR” had a big part in the decision made by Erin to sue. After all Chrysler Dalimer “DODGE” is self insured which means they are a bottomless pit where money is concerned. I bet they have changed how they loan out their automobiles for a celebrity to drive around free of charge for promotional. I bet they at least now check to see if somebody has valid drivers license now!!!
She should sue at least to get her medical bills paid for.. He was the one driving drunk how is she at fault.. ..
I am sure that her medical bills are being paid. I would also say she that lost wages, expenses for driving to doctors and other costs are being paid as well. Money will be awarded for pain and suffering as well. She did just get her case filed before the statue of limitations ran out. I say this young lady will collect a small fortune for her pain and suffering. You’d think a grown woman would know better to get on a chopper without a helmet and get in a truck that a drunk was driving.
New Choppers Inc Location!
Billy Lane’s Choppers Inc.
415 Stan Drive
Melbourne, FL 32904
Phone: (321) 757-7262
Fax: (321) 757-3117
The Shop in Melbourne, FL is not open to the general public.
http://www.brainbucketmag.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=1654/postdays=0/postorder=asc/start=17.html
To Rainbow Warrior:
and then yet again maybe they didn’t pay for her medical expenses and loss of wages and that is why she had to sue………………has anyone ever thought of that……………trauma center, life line flight to hospital, loss of work, all adds up, how can you be so sure they paid for all this…………none of you do know for sure, your all assuming, it’s a big no no to assume, it will bite you everytime, to think you know what is going on when you are just blowing smoke and trying to figure it all out and you dont have a clue, curiousity killed the cat!!
In Florida you are required to carry insurance that will cover all expenses incurred from accidents such as this one. I am on Erin’s side. Although, she used very poor judgment getting in a truck and on a bike with a drunk. It is no wonder that our voted officials are wanting to put a cap on lawsuits in Florida. One could assume that it would make our insurance costs go down. That would most definitely be a good thing.
Brett: Is is funny how one can be so forgiving after falling into the millionaire status. I agree with you 100%.
Millionaire Status? How does anyone even know the Morelocks were awarded anything close to a million $ ?
We’ve known Billy since his Miami days, and way before he moved to Melbourne and got some minor fame on cable channels. Billy (and his brother) have always been reckless, happy go lucky, guys.
Their behavior and habits have not changed at all, one bit. Now he’s minorly famous and people pay attention because why? Weird. If you’re breaking the law regularly, and acting irresponsibly regularly, you should get called on it well before you become a minor celebrity.
I heard that Morelock was loaded too.Any truth to that??If so what’s all the bitching about Lane. It seems to me this situation’s a push. Louie from Jersey
Morelock’s sobriety is irrelevant. Lane is a murderer.
Well, if you understand the law LA, he would be just as guilty.. This is such a tough issue. I have had some dealing with Billy recently and I can say that he was definetly a decent guy to work with.
I know it is such a tragedy for everyone involved, and I believe that he should be held accountable, but Morelock shouldn’t have been out there either. Most people I know that are out there on Mopeds have to ride them because they have lost their liscence because of DUI. I don’t know all the facts on that one, but I do know that the fact that Morelock was drinking should carry some weight. Does that absolve Lane, hell no, but he was out there too illegally…. Like I said, this is a tough one. Hopefully there is a really good, knowledgable team working on this (Judge, Lawyers, Prosecutors) and they come up with something FAIR for everyone involved.
**Dont be a dumbass, he is not a Murderer. He did not wake up and say “Hmmm I think I’ll kill someone today”. From what I have seen he is approachble, down to earth and humble when you get a chance to deal with him. Just my 2 cents….
In the state of Tenn. she would be charged also !!! what charges did she get ?
she is nothing more than a straight up whore. OUt with him having a good time. She done nothing but made a buck of a tragedy. White trash ~ people like her make me sick! should have her ass in jail right beside him. Hey what comes around goes around! hers is comin……….
Hi my name is Charayne, I am writing this from Australia (Down Under).
I have just come into the world of Mr Billy Lane, through biker build off, and monster garage with Jesse James. Billy you are so good looking, Such brain power, what happened that night Billy?
Did beauty get in the way, or was she another pick up, either way, why did u drive that night, everybody knows that you don’t drink and drive you silly fool Billy.
Anyway, I was wondering if Indian Larry was with you that night in spirit, (NOT ALCOHOL VERSION) the accident could have been a lot worse, it could have been Billy that died, or severly injured, instead of the park ranger.
Billy, take it easy mate, you have plenty of time to reflect now and think about your past, present, future.
And don’t forget to spare a thought for Indian Larry, who is with you Billy allways….