STURGIS, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS) has released it’s latest report of stats, which reveals a big spike in cash seized at the motorcycle rally.
The DPS releases a Sturgis Rally Tally – a 24-hour (6 a.m. to 6 a.m.) recap for crashes, DUI arrests, drug arrests, citations and warnings for both Sturgis and the Rapid City district.
Note: Rally Tally numbers from DPS do not include data from the Rally’s official opening day Friday, Aug. 2.
Through the time period of 6:00 a.m. Thursday to 6:00 a.m. Friday, the rally saw a total of 24 DUI arrests, 32 misdemeanor drug arrests and 13 felony drug arrests.
Between the Sturgis and Rapid City districts, 148 citations were issued.
Outside of these stats, a large cash seizure — $29,710 — was made, bringing the total of cash seized at the rally to $40,804.
KELOLAND News reached out to ask about the situation regarding cash seizures at the rally, but was told by DPS communications director Brad Reiners that he could not discuss investigations.
Running numbers for the week continue to pile up, with 124 total DUIs, and 359 total drug arrests, both misdemeanor and felony.
Crashes have also continued to rise, with 31 injury and 31 non-injury crashes.
Compared to this point last year, DUIs are up significantly, with 30 more than in 2023. Misdemeanor drug arrests are also up while felony drug arrests are just four behind last year.
Crashes, both injury and non-injury, are down, though fatalities are stable from last year at three.
Injury Crashes
There were five total injury crashes in the past 24 hours.
The first occurred just after noon on Thursday, when the rider of a 1999 Harley Davidson traveling on SD 87 near Sylvan Lake was watching a deer and drifted off the road into the ditch, where they crashed. The driver sustained minor injuries.
At 1:36 p.m., the rider of a 2006 Honda heading east on US 16A failed to negotiate a curve and fell of the motorcycle when it went into the ditch. The rider received serious non-life-threatening injuries.
At 3:48 p.m., the rider of a 2014 Harley Davidson riding west on I-90 South of Sturgis attempted to stop to dress in rain gear. While stopping, he lost control and tipped the bike, resulting in minor injuries to himself, and serious non-life-threatening injuries to his passenger.
At 4:29 p.m. a 2001 Harley Davidson was heading south on SD 79 near mile 157 when the rider drifted off the road and struck a post. The rider was not wearing a helmet and received life-threatening injuries.
The final injury crash occurred at 8:01 p.m. when a 2014 Kawasaki attempted to re-enter Nevada Gulch road near Blue Chair Place. The ride lost control and when the motorcycle tipped, it landed on the passenger, who received serious, non-life-threatening injuries. The driver was uninjured.
