SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – The South Dakota Highway patrol has released a list of crashes and arrests that occurred over the course of one day at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
According to a press release from the Department of Public Safety, there were a total of 18 crashes between Saturday and Sunday, with one of those crashes being deadly.
Fatal Crash:
- 9:34 a.m. Saturday, a 2019 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling westbound in the passing lane of US 16A near mile marker 56. The driver was unable to negotiate a curve in the roadway, tipping onto its right side and sliding into eastbound lanes, colliding with three eastbound motorcycles. The 58-year-old male driver of the 2019 Harley died from his injuries. The other three riders received serious, non-life threatening injuries. Helmet use for all four individuals is under investigation.
Injury Crashes:
9:26 a.m. Saturday, a 2019 Harley Davidson motorcycle was turning north onto US 16 from the Happy Place Campground. The front brake locked up, causing the rider to lay the motorcycle down. The driver and motorcycle fell onto the right side, and the rider was not wearing a helmet. The rider sustained minor injuries and was transported to Rapid City Monument hospital.
10:49 a.m. Saturday, a 2013 Victory motorcycle was westbound on SD Highway 44. The motorcycle had a flat tire, and as the driver was slowing down to pull over, he lost control and entered the ditch. The driver and passenger were separated from the motorcycle. They were not wearing helmets and received serious, non-life threatening injuries.
12:31 p.m. Saturday, a 2011 Harley Davidson motorcycle was northbound on SD 87 near mile marker 62. The driver failed to negotiate a left turn and ran off the roadway to the right, travelling up an embankment. The driver was separated from the motorcycle, and the motorcycle fell on top of the rider. The driver was not wearing a helmet and received serious, non-life threatening injuries and was LifeFlight-ed to a hospital.
1:01 p.m. Saturday, a 2024 Harley Davidson trike was northbound on SD 87, and a 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling south. The 2009 Harley crossed into north bound traffic and crashed into the 2024 Harley. Both riders were separated from their motorcycles. The driver of the 2024 Harley was not injured, the passenger of the 2024 and the driver of the 2009 sustained minor injuries and were taken to Monument Health in Custer. All 3 individuals were wearing helmets.
2:26 p.m. Saturday, A 2015 Harley Davidson was westbound on I-90. The driver struck the rumble strips as they were negotiating the curve in the roadway, causing the Harley to enter the median. After entering the median, the driver was separated from the motorcycle and came to rest in the median. The rider was not wearing a helmet and sustained serious, non-life threatening injuries.
4:55 p.m. Saturday, A 2023 Harley Davidson (unit 1) was westbound on I-90 in the right lane. A 2024 Harley Davidson (unit 2) was also traveling west on I-90 in the left lane. Unit 1 tried to pass Unit 2 and made contact with Unit 2. After contact the driver of Unit 1 lost control, entering the north ditch. The driver of Unit 1 received minor injuries. The driver of Unit 2 was not injured. Both were wearing helmets.
5:13 p.m. Saturday, A Ford Escape was rear ended by a motorcycle while stopped at a stop light. The motorcycle rider sustained serious, life-threatening injuries and was flown to Monument Health in Rapid City. The motorcycle driver was wearing a helmet. The driver of the Ford Escape was not injured.
5:44 p.m. Saturday A 2012 Ford F150 was stopped in the west bound lane of US 14A while waiting for traffic to make a left turn onto 2 Bit Road. A 2025 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling west on US 14A. The 2025 Harley collided with the rear-end of the Ford F150. The driver of the Harley Davidson received minor injuries and was transported to the hospital. The driver of the Ford was not injured, and was wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the Harley was not wearing a helmet.
6:40 p.m. Saturday, A 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling east on I-90 near mile marker 41. The Harley Davidson attempted to exit, but realized the road was closed. The driver laid the bike on its side and slid under the gate, coming to a complete stop. The driver was not wearing a helmet and was transported to the hospital with serious, non-life threatening injuries.
12:44 a.m. Sunday, a 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle (unit 1) was south bound on SD 79. A 2022 Harley Davidson motorcycle (unit 2) was traveling north on SD 79. Both riders were straddling the centerline and struck each other. Unit 1 came to rest in the south bound lane of SD 79. Unit 2 ran off the road and came to a rest in the ditch. Both drivers were transported to the hospital. The driver of unit 1 received was wearing a helmet, and sustained life-threatening injuries, the driver of unit 2 sustained serious, non-life threatening injuries. Helmet use for the driver of unit 2 is under investigation.
12:50 a.m. Sunday, Sturgis Police attempted to stop a 2021 Harley Davidson motorcycle for exhibition driving. The motorcycle fled, leading to a police pursuit. The motorcycle left the lane of travel at high speed and entered the ditch at MM 52 on US 14A. The driver was not wearing a helmet and sustained serious, life-threatening injuries. The driver was transported to Monument Health via helicopter.
All information released so far is only preliminary, according to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
In addition to crashes, the South Dakota Highway Patrol reported that from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday, there were a total of 21 DUI arrests, a total of 31 misdemeanor drug arrests, and a total of 14 felony drug arrests.
Highway Patrol also issued a total of 252 citations and 592 warnings over the course of Saturday to Sunday.
