Sturgis Rally Crashes Drop 37% Through Six Days
STURGIS, S.D. (trfnews.i234.me) — South Dakota Highway Patrol reports show fewer crashes during this year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Troopers handled 54 crashes through six days of reporting. That total includes three fatal crashes and 32 injury crashes.
Another 19 crashes caused no reported injuries.
The total is down more than 37% from the same reporting period last year. Troopers handled 86 crashes through six days in 2025.
The latest Rally Tally covers incidents between 6 a.m. Thursday and 6 a.m. Friday.
Several Riders Hurt Near Sturgis
Shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday, a Freightliner semi was traveling north on South Dakota Highway 79.
The truck was near Iron Horse Campground when it stopped and began backing.
The semi and trailer struck a Chevrolet Traverse, according to the Highway Patrol. The impact pushed the SUV into two Indian motorcycles.
A 63-year-old rider and a 23-year-old rider suffered minor injuries. Both were taken to a Sturgis hospital.
The semi driver and SUV driver reported no injuries.
Crashes Reported Across Black Hills
A 20-year-old rider crashed on Needles Highway near Hood Tunnel in Custer State Park.
The rider lost control while traveling through switchbacks. The rider wore a helmet and suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.
In Rapid City, a motorcycle crashed while taking Interstate 190 exit 1A toward Sturgis.
A 55-year-old passenger was thrown from the motorcycle. She was taken to a Rapid City hospital.
Her injuries were not life-threatening. The 65-year-old rider was not hurt.
Two crashes were also reported near Deadwood.
One involved a 64-year-old rider after a motorcycle tire failed on U.S. 85.
The rider was taken to a Spearfish hospital.
Another rider crashed on U.S. 85 north of Deadwood. That rider suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.
A 72-year-old rider also crashed on Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park.
The rider suffered minor injuries after the motorcycle overturned.
Traffic Also Lower This Year
State transportation officials reported more than 318,000 vehicles through six days of the rally.
That was 7.8% below the same period in 2025.
Readers can find Sturgis Rally travel information from the South Dakota Department of Transportation.
Sturgis Police also reported a small drop in general calls for service.
The department recorded 953 responses through Wednesday evening. That compared with 972 responses during the same period last year.
The Rally Tally only includes investigations handled by the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
It does not include all local police or sheriff reports. No names were released in the information provided.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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