Meade County, South Dakota (trfnews.i234.me) — One person has died and 13 others were injured in a dozen separate crashes at the start of the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, according to data released by the South Dakota Highway Patrol through their daily Rally Tally report.
The reported incidents occurred between 6 a.m. Saturday, August 2, and 6 a.m. Sunday, August 3, and include a range of crash types in and around the Black Hills region, including areas near Mt. Rushmore, Sturgis, and Needles Highway.
Fatal Four-Bike Crash Near Mt. Rushmore
Keystone, S.D. — A 58-year-old man was killed and three others were seriously injured in a four-motorcycle collision near mile marker 56 of U.S. Highway 16A. Authorities say the victim lost control on a curve and slid into the eastbound lanes, striking three oncoming bikes. Helmet usage remains under investigation.
Police Pursuit Ends in Critical Injury
Sturgis, S.D. — A man sustained life-threatening injuries after fleeing police on a motorcycle shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday. The suspect was traveling at high speed on U.S. Highway 14A, lost control near mile marker 52, and was airlifted to Monument Health. He was not wearing a helmet.
Life Flight Rescue on Needles Highway
Needles Highway, S.D. — Around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, a motorcyclist was injured after failing to navigate a left turn and striking an embankment. The motorcycle landed on top of the rider, who was airlifted with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver was not wearing a helmet.
Bike Slides Under Closed Exit Gate
Tilford, S.D. — At 6:40 p.m. Saturday, a biker crashed while trying to exit I-90 near mile marker 41, unaware that the exit was closed. The rider slid under a closure gate and was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. No helmet was worn.
Bike Rear-Ends Truck Outside Deadwood
Deadwood, S.D. — A motorcycle rear-ended a Ford F-150 that was waiting to turn onto 2 Bit Road just before 5:45 p.m. Saturday. The biker sustained minor injuries. The truck driver was not injured.
Flat Tire Leads to Ditch Crash
Black Hills National Forest, S.D. — Shortly after 10:45 a.m. Saturday, a motorcycle entered a ditch due to a flat tire. Both the driver and passenger were ejected and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Neither were wearing helmets.
Locked Brake Causes Rapid City Crash
Rapid City, S.D. — Just before 9:30 a.m. Saturday, a motorcyclist crashed near Happy Place Campground when a front brake locked up. The rider was hospitalized with minor injuries and was not wearing a helmet.
Curve Causes Crash Near Cottonwood
Cottonwood, S.D. — At 2:30 p.m. Saturday, a rider failed to negotiate a curve near mile marker 31 on I-90, entered the median, and was injured but stable. The biker was not wearing a helmet.
Two Bikes Collide on Needles Highway
Needles Highway, S.D. — Around 1 p.m. Saturday, two Harley Davidsons clipped each other when one crossed the center line. Two people were injured and taken to a hospital in Custer. All were wearing helmets.
Motorcycle Crash Near Tilford Injures One
Tilford, S.D. — At 5 p.m. Saturday, two motorcycles collided while westbound on I-90. One rider crashed into the ditch and was injured. Both were wearing helmets.
Two Bikes Collide Near Newell
Newell, S.D. — At 12:45 a.m. Sunday, two motorcycles traveling in opposite directions struck each other while riding along the center line on SD Highway 79. Both drivers were hospitalized, one with life-threatening injuries.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol continues to release daily updates as part of its Rally Tally campaign throughout the 10-day Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. These numbers reflect only incidents handled by the Highway Patrol and do not include data from city or county law enforcement agencies.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.