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Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025

Does the Sturgis rally tally offer a statewide view of motorcycle fatalities during the event?

Michael Klinski, South Dakota News Watch
no

The Sturgis rally data released by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety daily during the event does not account for fatal motorcycle crashes elsewhere in the state.

The DOT reported three people died in motorcycle crashes during the Sturgis rally in 2024 from Aug. 3 to Aug. 11. However, data from the state from late July to Aug. 12 of 2024 shows that 12 people died in motorcycle crashes across South Dakota. 

Statistics supplied by the DPS during the rally only account for crashes that occur in western South Dakota. Motorcycle crashes involving people heading to or coming from the rally in the eastern part of the state or other states are not included.

The DPS compiles daily data such as DUI arrests, cash seized and crashes from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. the following Sunday during the rally. That data is used by media outlets in stories.

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