STURGIS, SD — One person died and nine others were hurt in eight crashes reported Saturday in the area around the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The South Dakota Highway Patrol said the reports covered the period from 6 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, through 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 9.
The agency’s daily “Rally Tally” covers only incidents investigated by state troopers. It does not include crashes or crime reports handled by local police or county sheriff’s offices.
Fatal Crashes Before and During Rally
State troopers also said there were several deadly crashes in the days before the rally period began. Those incidents included a Spearfish motorcyclist who later died after a crash on Interstate 90, a Sioux Falls couple involved in a rollover near Rochford, and two separate fatal motorcycle crashes on Friday, Aug. 7.
Other fatal wrecks not involving motorcycles were also reported in western and central South Dakota, including crashes near Scenic, Redfield, Wessington and Belvidere. The Highway Patrol said it has been posting reminders to drivers and riders to stay alert and use extra caution.
Saturday Injuries Across Region
The day’s most serious motorcycle crash happened near Spearfish, where a 72-year-old man died after troopers say he lost control of a 2003 Harley-Davidson and was thrown from the bike near Centennial Road. Authorities said he was taken to a hospital with extensive injuries and later died.
Other Saturday crashes left riders and passengers hurt near Custer State Park, Rochford, Cheyenne Crossing, Boulder Canyon, Hisega, Rockerville and Rapid City. Injuries ranged from minor to serious, and several riders were taken to hospitals in Spearfish, Deadwood, Sturgis and Rapid City.
Troopers Track Ongoing Risk
Among the weekend crashes, one rider was flown by helicopter to Rapid City after going down on a curve near Rochford. In another case, troopers said a hit-and-run near Boulder Canyon injured a 54-year-old motorcyclist when an unknown vehicle crossed the centerline and struck the bike.
Authorities also reported a rear-end crash on an Interstate 90 off-ramp in Rapid City and a tire failure near Bear Country USA that sent a 69-year-old rider to the hospital. The patrol said it continues to investigate the crashes and is urging people to slow down and watch for motorcycles as rally traffic builds.
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