STURGIS, S.D. — The South Dakota Highway Patrol reported one death and nine injuries across eight crashes between 6 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, and 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, as traffic increased around the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Daily patrol release focuses on Highway Patrol investigations
The agency’s daily update, commonly called the “Rally Tally,” documents collisions and criminal incidents investigated by the Highway Patrol only. It does not include incidents recorded by local departments including the Sturgis Police Department or county sheriff’s offices.
In addition to the incidents during the first full day of the rally, the Highway Patrol said troopers responded to a string of serious and fatal crashes in the days before the event as travel in the region picked up.
Pre‑Rally fatalities recorded by troopers
In its report, the Highway Patrol listed multiple fatal collisions that occurred in the runup to the rally. Those incidents included:
- A Spearfish motorcyclist who lost control on Interstate 90 on July 27 and later died at a Rapid City hospital.
- On Aug. 1, a 67‑year‑old Sioux Falls woman who died and a 72‑year‑old Sioux Falls man who was seriously injured when the motorcycle they were riding left the road and rolled near Rochford.
- A three‑vehicle crash on Aug. 7 northeast of Hill City that killed an Illinois couple and hospitalized an Arizona man after a motorcycle struck a stopped SUV and caused a fire that closed the highway for several hours.
- Also on Aug. 7, a Sioux Falls woman died south of Sturgis after troopers say an oncoming motorcyclist from Massachusetts crossed the centerline while negotiating a curve and struck another bike.
- Separate crashes that did not involve motorcycles resulted in the deaths of a Wall woman near Scenic, a local man in Redfield, a 16‑year‑old boy from Highmore in Wessington, and an Oregon woman and a Washington man near Belvidere.
"The number of fatal crashes this month is heartbreaking. Every one of them represents a life l
The Highway Patrol said it had used social media and message boards to remind riders and motorists about safe driving in the region.
First full day numbers and context
During the 24‑hour reporting window from Aug. 8–9, troopers logged eight crashes, resulting in one death and nine injuries. The figures reflect only incidents investigated by the Highway Patrol and do not represent the total number of crashes throughout the Sturgis area.
| Reporting period | Crashes | Deaths | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 8, 6 a.m. to Aug. 9, 6 a.m. | 8 | 1 | 9 |
What officials are emphasizing
Troopers continued to stress the importance of safe riding and driving as traffic volumes rise for the 10‑day rally. The Highway Patrol’s release emphasized that its tally does not include every law enforcement agency’s numbers, which can lead to larger totals when other jurisdictions’ reports are combined.
Officials have urged motorists and motorcyclists to plan extra travel time, avoid impaired or distracted driving, watch for changing road conditions and obey speed limits and lane restrictions. Electronic message boards and social posts have been deployed across the region to reinforce those safety messages.
Local impact and resources
The Sturgis Rally draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Black Hills region, increasing strain on local emergency responders and traffic infrastructure. Residents and visitors can expect congestion on Interstate 90 and state highways, and those traveling through the area should be prepared for delays and emergency response activity.
For the most current information on collisions and law enforcement activity, drivers should consult the South Dakota Highway Patrol’s official releases and local law enforcement agencies for broader tallies that include county and city responses.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor Highway Patrol updates and local agency statements and will report confirmed developments as they become available.
