Unexpected deaths mar ROT Rally

AUSTIN (KXAN) - It was a deadly weekend for three motorcyclists during the annual Republic of Texas motorcycle rally

Last year, two motorcyclists were killed the entire weekend. This year, 3 fatalities occurred in 24 hours.

The Austin Police Department is warning all drivers on the road to put down their distractions and be aware of the more than 50,000 bikers now at events all over town.

Friday morning, a motorcyclist crashed into the guardrail on the US 290 flyover near Interstate 35. The motorcycle stopped, but the rider fell over and to his death.

Two more fatal accidents happened Saturday morning; the first around 12:30 am in the 900 block of Koening Lane, where a biker hit a curb and slammed into the ground.

The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet but did not survive his injuries, said police.

Around 9:30 a.m., another fatal accident happened at the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Walnut Avenue, where a motorcyclist was hit by a driver. 

Police say the motorcyclist may have been in a blind spot for the driver of the car when the crash happened. Both were sent to UMC-Brackenridge, where the biker later died.

Police are now warning all drivers to put down distractions and beware of the extra motorcycles on the road. They are telling all bikers to wear there helmets as well.

"We have stressed from the very beginning although it is your right to wear a helmet, two out of the three fatalities this weekend have not been wearing a helmet," said Sergeant Jeff Slater with the Austin Police Department.

Out of town bikers participating in this weekends festivities say Austin's roads can be scary for motorcyclists.

"Other drivers don't pay attention to what you are doing, and they don't see you and all of a sudden they just want to cut you right off, that right there it's scary," said Ruben Lopez, a visitor in town from Corpus Christi.

The ROT Rally wraps up Sunday.