As of 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2025
🚦 Traffic Activity: Heavier Than Ever
According to the South Dakota Department of Transportation, 311,764 vehicles have entered Sturgis in the first five days — a 15.9% increase over 2024 and 11.5% higher than the five-year average.
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Monday, August 4 saw the highest traffic day so far, with 68,906 vehicles, up 23.1% from the same day last year.
🚓 Law Enforcement Trends: Arrests Down, DUIs Up
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972 calls for service reported by the Sturgis PD
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76 arrests made (↓ from 106 in 2024)
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35 DUI arrests, a notable increase from 7 at this point in 2024
🏍️ Crashes & Fatalities: Updated Totals
As of 6 a.m. Wednesday, the Department of Public Safety reports:
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14 non-injury crashes
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41 injury crashes
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2 confirmed fatalities (↓ from 3 at this point in 2024)
⚠️ Detailed Accounts from Tuesday’s Motorcycle Crashes
Here are some of the key crash incidents that occurred on Tuesday, August 5, across the greater Black Hills region:
🕙 10:37 a.m. – Wildlife Loop Rd, MM 5 (Custer County)
A 2023 Harley-Davidson drifted off the blacktop into the tall grass, flipping forward after striking debris.
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Injuries: Minor
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Helmet worn: Yes
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Transported to: Custer Monument Hospital
🕙 10:45 a.m. – US Highway 14A, MM 32 (Spearfish Canyon area)
A 2014 Harley-Davidson failed to negotiate a curve, entered the ditch, and rolled.
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Injuries: Serious, non-life-threatening
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Helmet worn: Yes
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Transported to: Rapid City Monument Health via medevac
🕐 1:33 p.m. – Wildlife Loop Rd, MM 5
A 2015 Harley-Davidson left the roadway.
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Rider + Passenger injuries: Minor
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Helmet worn: No
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Transport refused by both
🕔 5:24 p.m. – Pleasant Valley Rd & S 130th Ave (Pennington County)
A 2012 Honda turned into a driveway and was rear-ended by a 2013 Harley-Davidson.
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Injuries: Minor (to Harley rider)
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Helmet worn: No
🕘 9:03 p.m. – Interstate 90, MM 12 (near Spearfish)
A 2021 Harley-Davidson hit a deer and crashed.
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Injuries: Serious, non-life-threatening
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Helmet worn: Yes
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Transported to: Monument Health, Spearfish
🧹 Public Works & Sanitation
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247.47 tons of garbage collected so far — slightly up from 240.77 tons in 2024.
🛍️ Vendor Licenses Up Slightly
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818 temporary vendor licenses have been issued — a 3% increase over last year.
🚨 Reminder: Ride Smart, Ride Safe
With crashes increasing and wildlife posing nighttime hazards, riders are reminded to:
✅ Slow down on curves
✅ Stay alert for deer, especially at dusk
✅ Wear your helmet — many injuries could be reduced
✅ Stay sober behind the bars
Let’s make the second half of the rally safer than the first. Please share to help keep our rider community informed and protected.
#SturgisRally2025 #MotorcycleSafety #MidRallyUpdate #RideSmart #BikerDown #BlackHillsSafety
