ROT Rally Casualties: Austin Police ID 2 Dead Stemming From Event

EAST AUSTIN, TX — The woman who was critically injured when when the motorcycle she was riding in collided with another bike during last weekend's Republic of Texas (ROT) rally has died, police said Friday.

The June 9 incident occurred just before 10:30 p.m. along the 7700 block of Decker Lane, near the Travis Expo Center that was the epicenter of the ROT rally gathering. The annual event beings thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the world for camaraderie, music and other activities.

According to a police investigation, a black, Harley-Davidson motorcycle was traveling northbound on the inside lane on Decker Lane in the same direction as an orange Harley. The driver of the latter bike slowed to make a U-turn when it was struck from behind by the black Harley, police said.

The driver of the black motorcycle was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. But his passenger, Cheryl Kelly, 56, was rushed to Dell Seton Medical Center with critical injuries. She succumbed to her injuries three days later on Tuesday, June 12, and was pronounced dead at 3:43 p.m., police said.

In their press advisory, police noted alcohol consumption was not considered to have played a factor in the collision.

In a separate incident on June 10, the last day of the ROT rally, also along Decker Lane in the 7300 block, Mark Capistran, 50, was stopped facing westbound on his 2011 Harley-Davidson bike. A tan, 2011 Buick Lacrosse was traveling northbound on the same street when it struck the motorcycle.

Capistran was rushed to Dell Seton Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, only to succumb to his wounds the following day, Monday, June 11, at 1:21 p.m.

Police said the driver of the Buick stayed at the scene in cooperating with the ensuing police investigation. No charges are expected to be filed, police added.

Those with information regarding these cases are asked to call detectives (512) 974-6935. Those with information also can submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

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