Police: Motorcycle pack corralled in Galveston

Authorities said Monday that a large group of motorcyclists was corralled Sunday afternoon as they crossed the Interstate 45 causeway into Galveston, with some 30 operators arrested or ticketed for reckless driving.

Police said the motorcyclists were doing such things as wheelies, traveling up to 120 mph and darting around traffic without signaling.

One motorcyclist, who had a passenger on the back, was injured after he tried to elude police and crashed. Police said the driver, whose name was not released, tore down some roadways going the wrong way at speeds in excess of 120 mph before wrecking on a curve at the Tiki Island exit.

The driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and his bike was totaled, Galveston police Sgt. Joshua Schirard said.

A second motorcyclist, who was not identified, also tried to flee but eventually laid his bike on its side and was arrested. He was charged with failing to have a driver's license and insurance and racing at high speeds.

Most of the others, described as Houston residents in their 20s, were boxed in by police and issued 28 traffic citations for reckless driving.

Only two managed to skirt police and escape altogether, Schirard said.

"These motorcycle riders were thrill-seekers. They like the sport bikes that can travel at speeds up to 160 miles per hour. Most were male, but there were also a couple of females in this pack," he said. "They might have been part of a casual club, but they weren't members of any organized criminal gang."

The incident occurred about 2:30 p.m. as the Mardi Gras crowds were exiting the island after enjoying the floats and pets in the children's parade.

"They weren't coming for the festival. It had just concluded," Schirard said.

Motorists who witnessed the alleged reckless driving alerted police, fearing someone would be hurt.

"It's hard to get motorcyclists, but we positioned our officers in such a way that we were able to corral most of them," Schirard said.