SIOUX FALLS, SD (trfnews.i234.me) – With the 84th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally set to start on Friday, August 2, western South Dakota has already seen a tragic series of motorcycle crashes. Five people have been killed and three others injured across five separate incidents.
- July 30, 1 p.m. – Butte County: A 73-year-old man riding a 2017 Harley Davidson trike was killed when a 2002 Chevrolet Venture turned across his lane on U.S. Highway 85 and South Dakota Highway 168. The rider was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead on scene. The minivan driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
- July 30, 5:15 p.m. – Lawrence County: A 53-year-old woman on a 2023 Harley Davidson Street Glide lost control while navigating a curve on U.S. 85. The motorcycle overturned, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. She was not wearing a helmet.
- July 31, 10:30 a.m. – Custer: A 24-year-old male driver of a 2013 Chevrolet Express van was killed after colliding with a 2017 Freightliner box truck that was stopped to turn on U.S. Highway 385. The truck driver survived with serious injuries.
- July 31, 11:51 a.m. – Lawrence County: A 46-year-old man driving a 2010 Harley Davidson FLTRX left the road, went airborne, and was ejected. He died from his injuries, while his 49-year-old passenger, who was wearing a helmet, survived and was airlifted to a hospital.
- July 31, 6 p.m. – Pennington County: A 60-year-old woman lost control of her 1994 Harley Davidson on Old Hill City Road. She was pronounced dead at a hospital after the bike flipped and ended up on the shoulder.
Names of the victims have not yet been released. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating these incidents as the Sturgis Rally approaches.