STURGIS, S.D. – The 83rd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has realized its third fatality according to the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
In their latest Rally Tally, the patrol says the accident happened on I-90 at mile marker 24 just before 2:00 a.m. this morning.
The patrol says a 2004 Harley Davidson Motorcycle was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-90 and hit a 2008 GMC Yukon head on. The 61-year-old male driver of the motorcycle was wearing a helmet, but died at the scene. The driver and passengers of the Yukon were not injured.
It was one of nine other crashes in the report where injuries were reported. Among them were a crash at mile marker 39 on I-90 where a motorcyclist crossed the fog line, entered the median and tipped. The driver, who was not wearing a helmet, received serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
In other numbers from Wednesday, the patrol reported 66 D-U-I arrests on the year, 109 misdemeanor drug arrests and 99 felony drug arrests. D-U-I numbers are down over last year while drug arrests are up.
Meanwhile,
STURGIS, S.D. – In their latest report, Sturgis Police say illegal parking was the top problem Wednesday.
In their latest update, Police reported 13 illegal parking citations, sending the year to date total to 89.
Police made just 2 D-U-I arrests Wednesday, along with 5 felony drug arrests and 3 misdemeanor drug arrests. There were also 8 fight calls and 5 license plate or registration violations.
So far, Sturgis Police have made 175 traffic-related arrests and 121 non-traffic related arrests. Those numbers are up over last year.
The Meade County Sheriff’s Office reported 119 calls for service in their latest report. Among them were 3 D-U-I arrests.
Here is a synopsis of Wednesday’s injury crashes from the Highway Patrol:
Injury Crashes:
At 9:34am, Wednesday, Cheyenne Boulevard and Elk Vale Road: A 2015 Harley Davidson motorcycle was making a lefthand turn onto Elk Vale Road, hit a patch of debris, and tipped over. The driver and passenger were not wearing helmets and received minor injuries.
At 9:34am, Wednesday, South Dakota Highway 44, and US Highway 385: A 2023 Harley Davidson motorcycle while traveling south on US Highway 385 was attempting to make a lefthand turn onto SD 44 and was struck by a 2011 Yamaha motorcycle and 2013 Yamaha motorcycle traveling northbound on US Highway 385. All parties involved were wearing helmets. The drivers of the Harley Davidson and 2011 Yamaha received serious non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the 2013 Yamaha received minor injuries.
At 10:14am, Wednesday, US Highway 87, mile marker 75: A 2012 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling northbound and failed to negotiate a curve. The driver and passenger became separated from the motorcycle. The driver and passenger were wearing helmets and received minor injuries.
At 10:39am, Wednesday, Interstate 90, mile marker 39: A 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling eastbound, crossed the fog line, entered the median, and tipped. The driver was not wearing a helmet and received serious non-life-threatening injuries.
At 2:49pm, Wednesday, US Highway 85, mile marker 30: A 2002 Harley Davidson motorcycle and 2015 Harley Davidson motorcycle were both traveling southbound, collided with each other, and hit the guard rail. Both drivers were wearing helmets. The driver of the 2002 Harley Davidson was not injured, and the driver of the 2015 Harley Davidson received minor injuries.
At 3:30pm, Wednesday, South Dakota Highway 87, mile marker 47: A 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle and 2016 Victory motorcycle were traveling southbound. An antelope ran out in front of the Victory motorcycle causing the driver to stop in the roadway. The Harley Davidson was unable to avoid collision and struck the Victory from behind. All individuals involved were wearing helmets. The passenger of the Victory received serious non-life-threatening injuries. All others received minor injuries.
At 4:53pm, Wednesday, Old Hill City Road: A 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling westbound, failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway, and hit an embankment. The driver and passenger were separated from the motorcycle. The driver and passenger were wearing helmets and received serious non-life-threatening injuries.
At 7:18pm, Wednesday, US Highway 14, mile marker 130: A 2011 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling eastbound, failed to negotiate a curve, and entered the south ditch. The driver was separated from the motorcycle. The driver was wearing a helmet and received serious non-life-threatening injuries.
At 7:57pm, Wednesday, US Highway 16A, mile marker 33: A 2021 Indian motorcycle was traveling eastbound, failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway, and entered the north ditch. The driver and passenger were separated from the motorcycle. The driver and passenger were not wearing helmets and received serious non-life-threatening injuries.
