Police: No big problems at bike rally
April 28, 2008 - 9:00 pm
Throngs of bikers are riding home after attending a popular motorcycle rally in the Nevada-Arizona border town of Laughlin.
Las Vegas police spokesman Sgt. John Loretto said Sunday that no major problems occurred during the 26th annual Laughlin River Run.
He said arrest and citation numbers appear to be down from last year, but final totals won't be released until today.
But the Mojave County Sheriff's Office said a Lake Havasu City, Ariz., man was killed in an accident involving two motorcycles at about 11 a.m. Saturday along County Route 1, Mile Marker 5. Victor Guy Mattice, 61, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mattice, who was riding north on his Harley Davidson, crossed the center line and collided with a southbound Harley driven by Larry Duane Faccio, the sheriff's office said.
Faccio, 48, was airlifted to University Medical Center. His condition was not available Sunday night.
The sheriff's office said Patricia Smith, 51, of Lake Havasu City, was thrown from Mattice's motorcycle and possibly broke her hand and hip.
Police maintained a large presence around Laughlin for the weekend festivities, which drew tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts.
Safety has been a priority since 2002, when a melee between Hells Angels and rival Mongols motorcycle gang members left three bikers dead and numerous others injured.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.