Motorcycle wreck kills two people

Last week's Laughlin River Run concluded with two accident-related fatalities and half of the arrests of last year's total at the popular motorcycle rally.

The Mojave County, Ariz., sheriff's office reported two motorcycle-involved deaths during the event, both stemming from the same accident.

Victor Guy Mattice, 61, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., was killed in an accident about 11 a.m. Saturday on County Route 1. Mattice was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was riding north when his motorcycle crossed the center line and collided with a southbound bike ridden by Larry Duane Faccio of Hereford, Ariz., the sheriff's office said.

Faccio, 48, was airlifted to University Medical Center, where he died Sunday.

Patricia Smith, 51, of Lake Havasu City was thrown from Mattice's motorcycle and injured her hand, hip and leg.

Police maintained a large presence around Laughlin throughout the weekend festivities, which drew tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts. Forty-six people were arrested during the four-day event, which ended Sunday. Eight of the arrests were on felony charges.

In 2007, police arrested 93 people. In 2006, 116 people were arrested.

"Everyone had a good time; it was a busy weekend, and our officers did a great job," Las Vegas police Lt. Brian Evans said.

Safety has been a priority since 2002, when a melee between Hells Angels and Mongols motorcycle club members left three bikers dead and several others injured.