STURGIS, S.D. – Sturgis Police Chief Geody Vandwater says they were busy Saturday as the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally kicked into high gear.
Vandewater reported 3 injury accidents and 2 non-injury accidents, including a rider who was critically injured in a crash after fleeing a traffic stop.
RELATED: https://kbhbradio.com/rider-receives-life-threatening-injuries-after-fleeing-traffic-stop/
Police also saw an increase in fight calls from the previous day, responding to 7 of them on Saturday.
There were 7 misdemeanor drug arrests in town along with 9 felony drug possession arrests. Sturgis Police also reported 4 D.U.I. and 7 driving under suspension or revocation. Drug and D.U.I. numbers are now up over last year on this date.
Illegal parking continues to be an issue. On Saturday, police issued 22 citations for illegal parking and towed a number of bikes.
So far this year, Sturgis Police have made 36 non-traffic-related arrests and 44 traffic-related arrests. Both of those totals are lower than last year on this date. So far, Sturgis Police report 34 people checking in to the Meade County Jail – down 8 on this date last year.
Meanwhile, the Meade County Sheriff’s Office reports 208 calls for service, 65 traffic stops, 5 D.U.I. arrests, 2 drug arrests, 3 simple assaults, 2 injury crashes and 41 people booked into the Meade County Jail.