Death In Daytona

DEATH IN DAYTONA

Streethike-related accidents clainied a record 13 lives at this year's Daytona Bike Week, prompting the Associated Press to christen the event, "The deadliest such qatbering on record."

The previous worst death toll for the annual 10-day get-together was in 1991, when 11 motorcyclists died. Last year, five people were killed.

What caused the carnage? “Bike Week gets bigger and bigger each year,” Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Chuck Williams told reporters. “Putting this much motorcycle traffic with the normal mix, the mathematical probabilities are against us. We just hope for the best.”

One rider also died at Daytona International Speedway. Roadracer Chris Tatro, 22, suffered fatal injuries after crashing into the outside retaining wall in NASCAR Turn 4 during an afternoon practice session. Tatro was the sixth motorcycle racer to die at the Speedway since the track opened in 1959.