STURGIS, S.D. – Area law enforcement are encouraging motorists to slow down as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally begins – that after two crashes happened within an hour in the same area Monday on I-90.
The first accident involved a motorcycle and SUV on the westbound side of the Interstate at mile marker 34.
Tony Mangan with the Department of Public Safety says a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse was westbound on I-90, when the vehicle made an abrupt lane change from the left lane to the right lane to avoid a stranded vehicle. The Traverse struck a westbound motorcycle, which was in the right lane . The motorcycle rolled three times and came to rest in the right hand ditch. Both motorcycle occupants were thrown from the bike.
The motorcycle driver, a 74-year-old male, and his 68-year-old passenger, were taken by ambulance to the Sturgis hospital, and later sent to Rapid City. Both were wearing a helmet.
Mangan says there is a charge pending against the driver of the Traverse.
Just as crews were cleaning up that crash, another accident occurred about two miles up the Interstate, in an area where traffic was backed up due to the motorcycle crash.
Mangan says a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe was traveling westbound behind a 2007 Dodge Durango pulling a travel trailer in the driving lane. A 2005 Peterbilt Cement Truck was westbound in the passing lane. The Hyundai changed lanes into the passing lane and was struck by the truck. The truck entered the median, crossed the eastbound lane and came to rest against a guardrail. The Hyundai was pushed into the back of the Dodge. The eastbound driving lane was closed for about two hours. The westbound driving lane was closed for an hour.
The driver of the Hyundai, a 52-year-old female from Sturgis, received serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. She was taken by ambulance to the Sturgis Hospital. The driver of the cement truck and the driver of the Durango were not hurt.
Mangan says charges are pending in the crash.
The highway patrol is investigating both crashes.
