Black Hills, SD (trfnews.i234.me) – The South Dakota Highway Patrol reports one fatality and 21 injuries in 16 separate crashes between 6 a.m. Monday, August 4, and 6 a.m. Tuesday, August 5 in and around the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
The most serious incident occurred around 1 p.m. Monday on U.S. Highway 16A in the Black Hills National Forest, where a 2019 Harley-Davidson scraped the roadway on a sharp right-hand curve, slid across the centerline, and collided with a 2000 Indian motorcycle and a 2008 Can-Am Roadster.
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The 60-year-old Harley driver died at the scene.
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His passenger was airlifted with life-threatening injuries.
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The drivers of the Indian and Can-Am sustained serious, non-life-threatening injuries.
Troopers said none of the four involved were wearing helmets.
Other notable crashes included:
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Vanocker Canyon Road, south of Sturgis – A 2005 Harley crashed in a curve; the driver was airlifted with life-threatening injuries.
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Fall River County – A motorcyclist attempted to pass a truck and trailer in a no-passing zone, colliding with the vehicle; serious injuries reported.
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Near Pactola Lake – Wet and grooved road surface caused a 2009 Harley to slide into a ditch; minor injuries.
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Multiple crashes on Needles Highway and Nemo Road – Several riders injured after failing to negotiate curves; some struck guardrails or rolled into ditches.
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Spearfish – A 1998 Dayton motorcycle crash injured both driver and passenger; driver critically hurt.
The Highway Patrol’s “Rally Tally” includes only incidents investigated by the Patrol, excluding data from Sturgis Police and area sheriff’s offices. The 10-day rally continues to draw large numbers of riders to the Black Hills, increasing crash risk on winding mountain roads.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.