By Parker Tillson
The Razorback Reporter Three people died in motorcycle accidents and 18 were arrested during the 20th annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally from Sept. 25 to Sept. 28 in northwest Arkansas, according to police reports. One of three fatalities occurred on Interstate 49 near the Fulbright Expressway when a woman who was on the back of a motorcycle fell off following a collision with another motorcycle driver. The other two deaths occurred in the Springdale area. One because of a collision with another motorcycle driver, and the other because a biker hit a large hole in the road and fell. The thousands of bikers who gathered on Dickson Street garnered attention from residents as well as police. “I would say that the Bikes, Blues & BBQ Dickson Street area was probably three times as busy as a game day as far as the amount of people,” Fayetteville Police Sgt. Anthony Murphy said. “The game day crowds are much rowdier and I think they drink more excessively.” Eighteen arrests were recorded during the rally. all were charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct, and some were charged with multiple offenses. Four arrests were made for warrants; one charge for carrying a weapon; one charge for driving while intoxicated; one charge for battery in the third degree; one charge for possession of a controlled substance; one charge for fleeing; one charge of refusal to submit; and one charge of obstruction of governmental operations, according to the Fayetteville Police Department. All were charged with misdemeanors. Sixteen accidents were recorded in Fayetteville involving motorcycles, but none of them life-threatening, Murphy said. “We had no fatalities in Fayetteville,” Murphy said. The 2019 reported accident total was much higher than the nine reported accidents that occurred in the city in 2017, but one less than the 17 reported accidents in 2018, Murphy said. “Bikes, Blues & BBQ seems to be an older demographic,” Murphy said. “They just come down there to show off their bikes and have a good time.”
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AuthorSenior journalism student at the University of Arkansas with the aim to be a sports reporter. Archives
December 2019
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