Bikefest: 1 biker killed, 13 motorcycle accidents so far, emergency rooms at capacity

One man has died following a motorcycle crash on U.S. 17 in North Myrtle Beach on Friday afternoon, the first fatality among 13 reported motorcycle wrecks in Horry County as Atlantic Beach Bikefest kicked off, officials said.

Ed Daniel Leatherwood, 38, of Rex, Ga., died after he ran a red light about 3 p.m. Friday, slamming his 2008 Honda motorcycle into a boat towed by a pickup, said Lt. Raul Denis with Horry County Police.

Leatherwood, who was not wearing a helmet, died from injuries sustained in the crash, said Horry County Deputy Coroner Michelle McSpadden.

The crash briefly shut down southbound traffic on U.S. 17. No charges are expected, Denis said.

Several other wrecks involving motorcycles were reported Thursday evening, a day before the festival kicked off on the Grand Strand amid heightened security after violence last year.

The long Memorial Day weekend is expected to bring about 400,000 people to the Myrtle Beach area for the Bikefest and the first long weekend of the summer season.

Horry County emergency officials report emergency rooms in the area are running near capacity.

Local media outlets report that about 120 people gathered at an elementary school Thursday night to pray for a safe weekend.

Last year violence during the Bikefest weekend left three dead and seven wounded in Myrtle Beach.

Late at night this weekend police are enforcing a 23-mile, one way loop to keep traffic moving through downtown Myrtle Beach and directing it out of town to the nearby Carolina Bays Parkway.

Steel barricades have been placed along Ocean Boulevard – the main oceanfront drag – to prevent pedestrians from jaywalking and further slowing traffic. Police also say they are strictly enforcing loitering laws to prevent impromptu parties from taking place on private property and in parking lots.

About 200 state troopers and 180 State Law Enforcement Division agents are joining local law enforcement agencies this year – that’s 130 more than last Memorial Day weekend. They are being joined by dozens of other municipal and county officers from three states.

The North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce and some local businesses are providing evening meals in Atlantic Beach for 1,000 law enforcement officers who are in the area to provide security during the three-day, holiday weekend.

In recent months a $50,000 social media campaign has been underway featuring everyone from police officers to ordinary residents urging visitors to respect the community and obey the law during the long weekend.

This story was originally published May 22, 2015 at 8:39 PM.