STURGIS, S.D. – The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has realized its first fatal crash as two people were killed in a multi-vehicle wreck in Boulder Canyon Monday evening.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol says the accident happened around 5:15 p.m. on U.S. Highway 14A, three miles west of Sturgis. The patrol says a 2015 Harley Davidson was traveling westbound when the driver failed to negotiate a curve and crossed the center line colliding with two eastbound motorcycles.
The 22-year-old male driver of the westbound motorcycle was airlifted to a Rapid City hospital where he later died. The 55-year-old male driver of an eastbound Indian Motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene. The 60-year-old male driver of the third motorcycle, a 2005 Harley Davidson, suffered serious, non-life threatening injuries. Helmets were not used.
It was one of several accidents Monday as the patrol reports 28 injury crashes on the year so far – 10 more than last year at this time.
Other serious crashes Monday included a wreck on Highway 16A six miles east of Custer. The patrol says a 56-year-old male driver suffered life-threatening injuries after crashing his motorcycle after failing to negotiate a curve.
Another serious crash happened on North Rochford Road west of Lead when the driver of a three-wheeled motorcycle crashed after losing control after cresting a hill. The 35-year-old male driver suffered life-threatening injuries.
Elsewhere in the rally report today, most crime is right in line with last year.
The patrol has reported 64 D.U.I. arrests, 104 misdemeanor drug arrests, and 52 felony drug arrests. D.U.I. arrests are down 8 over last year, and overall drug arrests are down just a couple.
Inside Sturgis limits, Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDewater reports non-injury crashes ae up 13 over this time last year but illegal parking – an annual problem – is down.
