2 die in crashes during Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Sunday, according to DPS

Annie Todd, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
·2 min read
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Two people died Sunday in motorcycle-related crashes during the first weekend of the83rd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, according to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety on Monday.

The latest rally tally tracked fatal and non-fatal crashes, as well as citations, drug arrests and cash seized, from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Monday in Sturgis and the Rapid City area.

DUI arrests, total warnings and total citations are down compared to this time last year, according to DPS. Non-injury crashes and injury-related crashes are up compared to this time last year.

More: DUI arrests, drug arrests up after 1st weekend of Sturgis rally, state tally shows

Two fatal crashes Sunday

A 54-year-old female passenger on a 2003 Harley Davidson was killed Sunday morning, according to DPS.

The crash occurred at about 10 a.m. on Interstate 90 near mile marker 36. A 2021 Harley Davison motorcycle was traveling westbound and braked for an unknown reasons, causing a 2003 Chevy Express Van to strike the rear end, according to DPS. A 2003 Harley Davidson equipped with a side car, was also traveling westbound, and was unable to avoid the crash and hit the Chevy van. A 2023 Harley Davison then struck the debris and crashed.

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The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and all other individuals involved had serious non-life-threatening and minor injuries, according to DPS. The occupants of the 2003 Harley Davison and the 2021 Harley Davison were wearing helmets. The occupants of the 2023 Harley Davison were not wearing helmets.

Then at about 12:30 p.m. Sunday, on U.S. Highway 14A near mile marker 43, a 2007 Harley Davison motorcycle was traveling eastbound and failed to negotiate a curve, crossed the center line, entered the north ditch and rolled, according to DPS. The 41-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a helmet.

This time last year, two people had also been killed in fatal crashes.

There were 21 injury accidents between Saturday and Monday and 16 non-injury accidents, according to DPS.

Other arrests

Misdemeanor drug arrests are up 39%, from 46 arrests this year compared with 33 arrests in 2022, according to DPS. But felony drug arrests are down 10%, from 17 arrests this year compared with 19 arrests last year.

DUI arrests are down 20%, from 36 arrests this year compared with 45 arrests in 2022.

Citations and warnings are down. The total number of citations throughout the weekend were 365 compared to 382 in 2022, according to DPS. The total number of warnings throughout the weekend were 1,136 compared to 1,368 in 2022.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: DPS records 2 deaths Sunday during Sturgis Motorcycle Rally