STURGIS, S.D. – The South Dakota Highway Patrol reported no fatalities in their latest rally report, but did report two accidents with serious injuries as well as a high-speed chase that resulted in an arrest.
That incident happened just before 1:30 Tuesday afternoon on I90 at mile marker 170. The patrol says a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a 2005 GMC Sierra for speeding. The deputy was speaking with the driver, who took off at a high rate of speed. The Deputy initiated a pursuit eastbound and the vehicle took exit 191 and traveled west on SD Highway 248. Tire deflation systems were set up near MM 190 on SD 248 and the driver went into the ditch to avoid the tire deflation system and lost control. The vehicle rolled onto its driver’s side. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt, received minor injuries, and was taken into custody without incident.
The other two accidents with serious injuries were on Highway 14A in Boulder Canyon and on I-90 at Spearfish. The accident in Boulder Canyon involved a rider who lost control of his bike after failing to negotiate a curve and was air lifted to Rapid City.
So far this year, the patrol has reported 41 injury crashes and 14 non-injury crashes.
In other stats, the patrol reported 17 D.U.I. arrests, 39 misdemeanor drug arrests and 15 felony drug arrests in the latest reporting period. Year to date totals for D.U.I. arrests total 70, with 143 misdemeanor drug arrests and 61 felony drug arrests.
Here is a synopsis of Tuesday’s crashes:
Injury Crashes:
At 10:37 a.m. Tuesday, Wildlife Loop Road, mile marker 5: A 2023 Harley Davidson motorcycle (Unit 1) was westbound at MM 5 on Wildlife Loop Rd. Unit 1 got too close to the edge of the blacktop and drove off into the ditch to the north. Unit 1 remained upright until it hit debris in the tall grass and flipped forward. The driver, who was wearing a helmet, was transported to Custer Monument Hospital with minor injuries.
At 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, US Highway 14A, mile marker 32: A 2014 Harley Davidson motorcycle (Unit 1) was eastbound at MM 32 US 14A. Unit 1 failed to negotiate a left curve and got close to the edge of the blacktop. The driver drove off into the ditch, tripped and rolled. The driver, who was wearing a helmet, became separated from his motorcycle and received serious non-life-threatening injuries. The driver was flown to Rapid City Monument Health Hospital.
At 01:29 p.m. Tuesday, Interstate 90, mile marker 170: Jackson County stopped a 2005 GMC Sierra near MM 170 on Interstate 90 for speeding. The deputy was speaking with the driver, who took off at a high rate of speed. The Deputy initiated a pursuit eastbound. The vehicle took exit 191 and traveled west on SD Highway 248. Tire deflation systems were set up near MM 190 on SD 248. The driver went into the ditch to avoid the tire deflation system and lost control. The vehicle rolled onto its driver’s side. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt, received minor injuries, and was taken into custody without incident. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is handling all charges.
At 01:33 p.m. Tuesday, Wildlife Loop Road, mile marker 5: A 2015 Harley Davidson motorcycle (Unit 1) was traveling westbound on Wildlife Loop Road, got too close to the shoulder and the front tire went off the roadway. The operator and passenger were separated from the motorcycle. Both sustained minor injuries and refused transport. Neither occupant was wearing a helmet.
At 05:24 p.m. Tuesday, Pleasant Valley Road and S 130th Avenue: A 2012 Honda motorcycle (Unit 1) was traveling west on Pleasant Valley Rd in front of a 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle (Unit 2). Unit 1 attempted to make a left turn into a driveway of a campsite. Unit 2 was behind Unit 1 and was unable to avoid the left turn being made by Unit 1. Unit 2 collided with Unit 1. The driver of Unit 2 sustained minor injuries. Neither driver was wearing a helmet.
At 09:03 p.m. Tuesday, Interstate 90, mile marker 12: A 2021 Harley Davidson motorcycle was westbound on I 90 near MM 12. Two deer entered the roadway, one deer struck the side of the motorcycle causing it to fall. The driver became separated from the motorcycle and slid on the interstate. The motorcycle came to final rest near the shoulder. The driver was wearing a helmet and sustained serious non-life-threatening injuries. He was transported to Monument Health in Spearfish.
All information released so far is only preliminary.