STURGIS, S.D. – The South Dakota Highway Patrol says injury crashes are up over last year as the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally opens.
In the year’s first rally report, the patrol says there have been 12 injury crashes reported between 6 a.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday. Seven of them were reported in the Sturgis area with another 5 in the Rapid City district. The total is up three over last year on the same day.
Non-injury crashes, however, are a little bit lower than at this time last year. The patrol reports 6 non-injury in the latest 20-hour time frame. That is down 5 from last year at this time.
So far, no fatal crashes have been reported.
Among the more serious crashes being reported include an accident Saturday morning on Vanocker Canyon Road three miles north of Nemo. The patrol says a Harley Davidson was traveling westbound when the driver attempted to pass slower traffic in a short passing zone. As he was passing, the driver was forced back into the westbound lane due to an approaching eastbound vehicle. The motorcycle went across the westbound lane and into the north ditch. The 64-year-old driver, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown from his bike. He received life-threatening injuries.
On Saturday afternoon, a 70-year-old male driver of a motorcycle received life-threatening injuries after crashing his motorcycle trying to avoid a deer. A female passenger on the motorcycle received serious, but non-life threatening injuries.
(Full 24-hour accident report can be found below)
As for arrests, the patrol reports 26 D.U.I. arrests, 41 misdemeanor drug arrests and 17 felony drug arrests. D.U.I.’s are up four from last year at this time, and misdemeanor drug arrests are also up 10 so far over last year. Felony drug arrests are down 6.
The patrol has issued 226 total citations so far, well above last year’s 189 at this time. Three motorcycles have been seized due to illegal drug possession.
Law enforcement is encouraging everyone to remain aware of their surroundings and practice patience in getting around.
As of Sunday afternoon, there have already been reports of several accidents.
Sturgis Police say was heavy on Lazelle Street and Junction Avenue early Sunday afternoon.
Here is a complete recap of injury accidents so far:
Injury Crashes:
At 8 a.m., Saturday, South Dakota Highway 44, two miles southwest of White River: A 2012 Ford Fusion was northbound when the driver lost control and the vehicle went into the west ditch. The female driver, 28, suffered no injuries. She was not wearing a seat belt. Charges are pending.
At 10:40 a.m., Saturday, Vanocker Canyon Road, mile marker two, three miles north of Nemo: A 2014 Harley Davidson motorcycle was westbound on Vanocker Canyon Road when the driver attempted to pass slower traffic in a short passing zone. As he was passing, the driver was forced back into the westbound lane due to an approaching eastbound vehicle. The motorcycle went across the westbound lane and into the north ditch. The 64-year-old male driver, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown from his motorcycle. He suffered life-threatening injuries. Charges are pending.
At 11:15 a.m., Saturday, U.S Highway 16A, mile marker 54, two miles south of Keystone: A 2019 Harley Davidson motorcycle was southbound on U.S. Highway 16A when the driver lost control while trying to negotiate a curve. The vehicle went into the south ditch and down a shallow ravine. The 66-year-old male driver suffered minor injuries. Helmet use is under investigation. Charges are not pending.
At 1 p.m., Saturday, U.S. Highway 16A, mile marker 54, three miles south of Keystone near Pigtail Bridge: A 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle was northbound on U.S. Highway 16A when the driver failed to negotiate a downhill curve, going wide and across the center line, colliding with a southbound 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. The motorcycle slid down the road, striking a southbound 2015 BMW motorcycle. Both motorcycle drivers were thrown from their vehicles. The 71-year-old male driver of the Harley Davidson motorcycle, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered minor injuries. The 44-year-old male driver of the BMW motorcycle was wearing a helmet and sustained minor injuries. The 33-yeard female driver of the vehicle, who was wearing a seat belt, was not injured. No charges are pending.
At 1 p.m., Saturday, U.S. Highway 14A, mile marker 44, four miles south of Deadwood: A 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycle was westbound on U.S. Highway 14A when the driver swerved to miss a deer. The 70-year-old male driver, who was not wearing a helmet, received life-threatening injuries. The 63-year-old female passenger, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown from the vehicle. She suffered serious non-life threatening injuries. No charges are pending.
At 2:02 p.m., Saturday, U.S. Highway 385, mile marker 100, two miles north of the Highway 44 intersection: A 2001 Yamaha FZS10 motorcycle was northbound on U.S. Highway 385 when it crossed the centerline and collided with a southbound 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle. The 24-year-old male driver of the Yamaha was wearing a helmet and sustained serious non-life threatening injuries. Charges are pending. The 64-year-old female driver of the Harley Davidson was wearing a helmet and suffered serious non-life threatening injuries.
At 2:44 p.m., Saturday, South Dakota Highway 87, mile marker 57, eight miles east of Custer in Custer State Park: A 2016 Harley Davidson motorcycle was northbound on South Dakota Highway 87 when the driver lost control on the edge of the road and crashed. The 46-year-old male driver suffered minor injuries. Helmet use is under investigation. Charges are pending.
At 3:55 p.m., Saturday, Interstate 90, mile marker 35, three miles east of Sturgis: A 2012 Victory Ness Cross Country motorcycle was westbound on Interstate 90 when the driver lost control. The motorcycle tipped over and the driver was thrown from the motorcycle. The 64-year-old male driver of the motorcycle, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered serious non-life threatening injuries. No charges are pending.
At 4:25 p.m., Saturday, South Dakota Highway 79, mile marker 114, eight miles northeast of Sturgis: A 2016 Harley Davidson Street Glide motorcycle was southbound on South Dakota Highway 79 when the driver lost control while attempting to slow down for vehicles in front of him. The 66-year-old male driver, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered serious non-life threatening injuries. No charges are pending.
At 5:08 p.m., Saturday, Interstate 90, mile marker 18, five miles east of Spearfish: A 2018 Harley Davidson Touring motorcycle was westbound on Interstate 90 and hit a wet patch during a rainstorm. The driver lost control and the vehicle went into the median. The 43-year-old female driver, who was wearing a helmet, suffered serious non-life threatening injuries. Charges are pending.
At 5:32 p.m., Saturday, Interstate 90, mile marker 57, within Rapid City limits: A 2008 Harley Davidson FLHC motorcycle was eastbound on Interstate 90 when the driver lost control while trying to change lanes during a rainstorm. Both occupants were thrown from the motorcycle. The 56-year-old male driver was not injured and the 20-year-old female passenger sustained minor injuries. Both were wearing helmets. No charges are pending.
At 11:15 p.m. Saturday, South Dakota Highway 89, 14 miles south of Pringle: A 2019 Indian Chief motorcycle was westbound when the driver lost control. The 59-year-old male driver was thrown from the motorcycle. He was not wearing helmet and sustained serious non-life threatening injuries. Charges are pending.
