State rally fatality count officially three

The State of South Dakota’s Department of Public Safety lists three as of Monday as the number of those who died district-wide as a result of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally-related accidents. Last year there were two such fatalities. However, this does not take into account four deaths prior to the official start of the Rally that involved motorcycle accidents.
Below is a summary of all fatal accidents or accidents that happened in the area from Aug. 8 to Aug. 11 of the rally.
At approximately 4:41 p.m. Aug. 8 Hwy. 85, mile marker 35, a 2003 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide motorcycle, operated by a 72-year-old male, was traveling north when the driver braked when approaching a turning motorcycle in front of him. The driver lost control of the vehicle and became separated from the motorcycle. The driver was transported to Monument Health in Spearfish. The driver sustained fatal injuries.
At 9:19 a.m. on the same day on Hwy. 16A, mile marker 33, a 2017 Harley-Davidson motorcycle operated by a 68-year-old male was driving westbound and a 2026 Harley-Davidson motorcycle operated by a 60-year-old male was driving westbound in front of the first bike with a 61-year-old female passenger. One bike slowed for traffic and the other was unable to slow and collided with the rear of the first bike. All riders were wearing helmets and received non-life-threatening injuries.
At 6:48 p.m. on Hwy. 16, mile maker 59, a 2019 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, operated by a 69-year-old male had a rear tire fail and the driver was unable to maintain control and became separated from the motorcycle. He was wearing a helmet and was transported to Monument Health for treatment of his injuries.
On Sunday, Aug. 9 at 6:35 p.m. on Hwy. 79, mile marker 61, a 2017 Chevrolet Trax SUV, operated by a 51-year-old female (Unit 1), turned north from Gumbo Lilly in front of a 2001 Jeep Wrangler SUV, operated by a 62-year-old male (Unit 2). Unit 2 had a 69-year-old female passenger. Unit 1 slowed due to a male being in the roadway. Unit 2 attempted to avoid a collision but collided with Unit 1. The passenger of Unit 2 received minor injuries.
At 7:54 p.m. on Hwy. 385 a 2016 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, operated by a 51-year-old male, was traveling southbound near mile marker 118 with a 51-year-old female passenger. A deer entered the roadway and was struck by the motorcycle. Both the driver and passenger were transported to Lead-Deadwood Monument Health with non-life-threatening injuries.
At 6:03 p.m. on Hwy. 16, mile marker 39, a 1993 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, operated by a 32-year-old male (Unit 1), was traveling west and a 1972 Pontiac LeMans passenger car, operated by a 77-year-old male (Unit 2), did not yield and crossed from Reno Gulch Road in front of Unit 1. Unit 1 collided with the side of Unit 2. Unit 1’s driver was separated from his motorcycle. He was wearing a helmet and was transported to Monument Health of Rapid City with non-life-threatening injuries.
On Monday, Aug. 10, at 3:22 p.m. on Hwy. 16A, mile marker 27, a 2002 Yamaha motorcycle, operated by a 63-year-old male, was traveling westbound and left the roadway to the right, entered the westbound ditch and overturned. The driver became separated from the motorcycle. The driver sustained fatal injuries.
At 3:34 p.m. at Deerfield Road and Marshall Gulch Road in Pennington County a 2008 Harley-Davidson motorcycle operated by a 46-year-old male was driving northbound on Deerfield Road near Marshal Gulch Road. The motorcycle passed a vehicle in a no-passing zone. The driver lost control when returning to its lane. The motorcycle entered the northbound ditch and rolled. The driver was not wearing a helmet and sustained fatal injuries.
At 1:20 p.m. on Wildlife Loop Road, mile marker 15 in Custer State Park a 2003 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, operated by a 64-year-old male (Unit 1), was traveling southbound on Wildlife Loop near mile marker 15 with a group of motorcycles. The motorcycles in front of Unit 1 slowed. Driver 1 attempted to avoid collision and overturned the motorcycle. The driver was separated from the motorcycle. He sustained minor injuries and refused transport.
At 1:26 p.m. on Hwy. 244 mile marker 30, a  2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by a 40-year-old male (Unit 1), was westbound and  negotiating a right-hand curve on a grade when the driver lost control and crossed the center line. A 2025 Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by a 72-year-old male (Unit 2), was eastbound at this location with a 69-year-old female passenger. Unit 1 struck the side of Unit 2. All occupants sustained injuries and were transported Monument Health in Rapid City.
 At 3:30 p.m. on Hwy. 16, mile marker 15, a 2008 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, operated by a 52-year-old male, was traveling eastbound. The driver lost control and slid into the north side ditch. The driver was separated from the unit and was transported to Monument Health in Custer for his injuries.