STURGIS, S.D. – The South Dakota Highway Patrol says livestock have been responsible for two injury crashes in their latest Rally Report.
The patrol says one of the accidents happened in Custer State Park, when a motorcyclist swerved to miss a buffalo that was entering the road and crashed. The motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
Another crash happened late Wednesday night when a motorcyclist struck a calf standing in the road on U.S. Highway 16 east of Hill City. The motorcycle tipped over and both occupants were thrown from the bike. The 55-year-old male driver suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries. The 55-year-old female passenger sustained life-threatening injuries. Neither occupant was wearing a helmet.
The two accidents added to the total of injury accidents, sending them to 39 on the year. That is four more than last year at this time.
Non-injury accidents are also up to 37, 10 more than last year at this time.
Other statistics today show D.U.I. arrests remain lower than last year at 100, compared to 115 in 2019. Drug arrests, however, are up. The patrol reports 162 misdemeanor drug arrests and 96 felony drug arrests. Those are up 12 and 15 respectively from last year’s numbers.
Here is a rundown on the injury crashes from Wednesday:
Injury Crashes:
At 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Interstate 90, mile marker 164, one mile east of Belvidere: A 2002 Harley Davidson V-rod motorcycle was eastbound on Interstate 90 when a gust of wind caused the driver to lose control. The driver was thrown from the motorcycle. The 62-year-old male driver, who was wearing a helmet, suffered serious non-life threatening injures. No charges are pending.
At 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, South Dakota Highway 87, mile marker 75, 15 miles southeast of Hill City: A 2006 Harley Davidson FLHT was southbound on South Dakota Highway 87 when the driver failed to negotiate a turn. The motorcycle tipped over. The 60-year-old male driver and 64-year-old female passenger both suffered minor injuries. Both were wearing helmets. No charges are pending.
At 3:17 p.m., Wednesday, U.S. Highway 16A, mile marker 64, two miles northwest of Keystone: A 2016 Harley Davidson Street Glide was northbound on U.S. Highway 16A when the driver failed to negotiate a curve. The 29-year-old male driver, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered minor injuries. Charges are pending against him. The 10-year-old female passenger, who was wearing a helmet, sustained minor injuries.
At 7:01 p.m., Wednesday, U.S. Highway 16A, mile marker 44, 20 miles east of Custer: A 2006 Suzuki GSX-R000K6 was stopped in the lane of traffic waiting for a herd of buffalo to cross the road. As the driver started to proceed west, a buffalo re-entered the roadway. The driver lost control as he swerved to miss the buffalo and was thrown from his vehicle. The 36-year-old male driver, who was wearing a helmet, sustained serious non-life threatening injuries. No charges are pending.
At 7:17 p.m., Wednesday, Crooked Oaks Road, four miles north of St. Onge: A 2020 Harley Davidson FLHTK Ultra Limited was southbound when the driver lost control on a patch of gravel. The 61-year-old male driver, who was not wearing a helmet, received serious non-life threatening injuries. Charges are not pending.
At 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, U.S. Highway 16, mile marker 47, seven miles east of Hill City: A 2019 Harley Davidson FLHTK Ultra Limited was westbound when it struck a calf standing in the driving lane. The motorcycle tipped over and both occupants were thrown from the motorcycle. The 55-year-old male driver suffered serious non-life threatening injuries. The 55-year-old female passenger sustained life-threatening injuries. Neither were wearing a helmet. Charges are not pending.
