RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Three fatalities were reported during a 24-hour period of the 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, according to the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
The period covered was from 6 a.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday, during which 21 injury crashes and numerous arrests were also reported. Authorities logged 54 DUI arrests, 108 misdemeanor drug arrests, 46 felony drug arrests, 742 citations, and 2,024 warnings.
Two of the fatal events involved motorcycles in the Black Hills region.
One crash occurred around 3:22 p.m. Monday on U.S. Highway 16A near mile marker 27, resulting in the death of a 63-year-old motorcyclist. The vehicle lost control, entered a ditch, and overturned.
Approximately 12 minutes later, a 46-year-old motorcyclist died on Deerfield Road near Marshall Gulch Road after losing control while attempting to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone.
With these incidents, the total fatalities during the rally stands at three, matching last year’s total for the same timeframe.
One serious injury crash involved two motorcycles on South Dakota Highway 244. A 40-year-old rider lost control, crossed into oncoming traffic, and collided with a motorcycle carrying a 72-year-old driver and a 69-year-old passenger. All three were taken to Monument Health in Rapid City.
Additional injury crashes were reported on multiple roads, including U.S. Highway 14A and Nemo Road.
In a separate incident in Rapid City, a Polaris RZR overturned shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday at Sheridan Lake Road and Laveeda Drive, resulting in serious injuries for three occupants. The fourth passenger was unharmed.
Law enforcement also noted 104 custodial arrests and eight non-injury crashes during the reporting period. Investigations are ongoing.