Bike wreck mars huge motorcade for charity
A 66-year-old rider is in critical condition after losing control of his motorcycle in the annual Toys-For-Tots Run.
By AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published December 7, 2004
PINELLAS PARK - A 2,000-motorcycle parade to raise money for charity left one man in critical condition Sunday after he lost control of his bike somewhere in the middle of the pack.
Organizers of the 17th annual Toys-For-Tots Run aren't sure what happened to Martin McNulty.
Pinellas Park police said McNulty, 66, of St. Petersburg lost control of his motorcycle about 10:30 a.m. on U.S. 19 near 102nd Avenue N. The bike fell over and McNulty, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown off, police said.
He was taken to Bayfront Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition.
As riders completed the 40-plus mile course shortly after noon, they shared what they heard happened, and tried to piece the facts together.
"I heard all kinds of stories," said Charlotte Hughes, director of the Florida Gulf Coast Harley Owners Group (HOG) chapter.
"Someone said there were two fatalities," said Steve Greenstein, general manager of Jim's Harley-Davidson, which put on the event. "We found out that's not true."
"Maybe something happened to his front end," said HOG treasurer Dennis Neighbor. "The front end started wobbling."
The largest group motorcycle ride on Florida's west coast, the Toys-For-Tots parade raises money for seven area elementary schools to provide holiday presents to needy students. This ride raised $15,000.
Riders start at Jim's Harley-Davidson on 54th Avenue N, move north into Largo and then west to Gulf Boulevard. From there, the parade moves south along the barrier islands and eventually winds up back at Jim's.
Emergency crews block off the route and bikes are supposed to stagger in pairs and travel between 30 and 35 mph, organizers say.
McNulty was about 4 miles into the ride when he wrecked.
"It's not dangerous, normally," said Neighbor, who rode at the front of the pack.
"The biggest single problem is the impatience of some of the traffic. People are trying to cut into the line and sometimes that could cause troubles."
Greenstein said the event had more police participating this time than ever before.
Some organizers said the parade had gone years without serious incident.
"I'm sorry somebody got hurt," Greenstein said. "We try to take every single precaution we can. You can't prepare for everything."
Duke Johnson, a HOG member who was also riding up front, said some riders aren't regulars used to heavy bike traffic.
Organizers did not know McNulty's skill on a motorcycle.
"A lot of people come out because they want to do this for the families," Hughes said. "They may not be the best riders."