RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – South Dakota Highway Patrol reported an increase in citations and felony drug arrests during this year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, from Aug. 8 to Aug. 15, compared to 2025.
During the rally period, authorities issued 1,556 citations, up from 1,361 last year. Warnings decreased to 4,202 from 4,367.
Troopers made 105 DUI arrests, a decrease from 112 in 2025. Misdemeanor drug arrests fell from 238 to 197, while felony drug arrests rose from 94 to 100. Overall, there were 214 custodial arrests.
Crash incidents were lower this year, with 38 injury crashes and 27 noninjury incidents reported, compared to 63 injury crashes and 27 noninjury crashes in 2025.
Three fatal crashes have occurred this year, resulting in three deaths, compared to four fatal crashes and four deaths at the same time last year.
On Friday, six motorcycle injury crashes were reported across the Black Hills. A 47-year-old rider suffered life-threatening injuries after a tire failure caused a motorcycle to leave Highway 14A; the rider was transported to Monument Health in Rapid City.
Other crashes involved motorcycles unable to negotiate curves or experiencing equipment failures, with most injuries classified as non-life-threatening.
Highway Patrol reported seizing $6,116 in cash during the rally, with no vehicles seized this year compared to one last year.
These statistics are preliminary and may change as investigations continue.
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