RAPID CITY, S.D. – The first fatality of the 2025 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally occurred Saturday morning near Mount Rushmore, according to a daily report released by the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
The fatal crash was one of 13 injury accidents reported between 6 a.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday in the Sturgis and Rapid City districts, which cover a significant portion of the Black Hills and surrounding areas.
A 58-year-old male motorcyclist was killed after losing control of his Harley Davidson on US Highway 16A and sliding into oncoming traffic, where he collided with three other motorcycles. The other three riders sustained serious, non-life-threatening injuries. The report indicates that helmet use for all four individuals is under investigation.
In total, law enforcement in the Rapid City District reported one fatal accident, eight injury accidents, and two non-injury accidents during the 24-hour period. Across the Sturgis and Rapid City districts, authorities made 21 DUI arrests, 31 misdemeanor drug arrests, and 14 felony drug arrests. The combined total for citations was 252, with 592 warnings issued.
The number of injury accidents for the day (13) is significantly higher than the same period last year (8), while DUI arrests are down from 30 to 21.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. All information released is preliminary.
Highway Patrol Sturgis Rally Daily Information
Compiled from 6 a.m. Sat., Aug 02, 2025, to 6 a.m. Sun. August 03, 2025
| Item | Sturgis | Rapid City District | District Total | Last Year to Date |
| DUI Arrests | 17 | 4 | 21 | 30 |
| Misd Drug Arrests | 23 | 8 | 31 | 45 |
| Felony Drug Arrests | 14 | 0 | 14 | 25 |
| Total Citations | 133 | 119 | 252 | 254 |
| Total Warnings | 387 | 205 | 592 | 601 |
| Cash Seized | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | $0.00 |
| Vehicles Seized | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| For Drug Poss. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| For Serial No. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Non-Injury Accidents | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Injury Accidents | 5 | 8 | 13 | 8 |
| Fatal Accidents | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| # of Fatalities | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |