2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Statistics: Citations and Warnings Rise as Injury Crashes, Arrests Decline
- Steve Jurrens
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Sturgis, SD - Enforcement statistics and crash numbers for the 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally show a general decrease in arrests and traffic accidents compared to last year, while citations and warnings have risen, according to the latest data released by the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
The daily activity report—compiled from 6 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2026, through 6 a.m. Thursday, August 13, 2026—covers operations across both the Sturgis local area and the broader Rapid City District.
Rally Statistics at a Glance
Overall, traffic stops and warnings are up, but injury accidents and drug-related arrests have dropped compared to the same point in 2025. Fatalities remain unchanged at three.
Category | Sturgis | Rapid City District | 2026 Total to Date | 2025 Total to Date |
DUI Arrests | 62 | 20 | 82 | 87 |
Misdemeanor Drug Arrests | 117 | 32 | 149 | 169 |
Felony Drug Arrests | 54 | 11 | 65 | 67 |
Custodial Arrests | 118 | 39 | 157 | N/A |
Total Citations | 573 | 560 | 1,133 | 1,024 |
Total Warnings | 2,058 | 1,166 | 3,224 | 3,063 |
Cash / Vehicles Seized | 0 | 0 | $0 / 0 | $0 / 0 |
Non-Injury Accidents | 9 | 5* | 14* | 20 |
Injury Accidents | 10 | 16 | 26 | 50 |
Fatal Accidents / Fatalities | 1 / 1 | 2 / 2 | 3 / 3 | 3 / 3 |
*Note: Non-injury accident figures reflect guidelines that remove incidents caused by cataclysmic severe weather events, as these are classified as non-reportable.
Enforcement Trends
Through Thursday morning, law enforcement officers issued 1,133 total citations and 3,224 warnings across both districts, up from 1,024 citations and 3,063 warnings during the same period last year.
Arrests for driving under the influence (82) and drug offenses (149 misdemeanor, 65 felony) have declined slightly year-over-year. Officers reported zero cash or vehicle seizures related to drug possession or altered serial numbers.
Injury accidents dropped significantly, from 50 reported by this time last year to 26 in 2026. Non-injury accidents also fell from 20 to 14.
Recent Crash Log
No fatal crashes were recorded during the 24-hour window ending at 6 a.m. Thursday. However, troopers investigated three separate injury crashes on Wednesday and early Thursday:
· 11:28 a.m. Wednesday (Custer State Park): On Wildlife Loop near mile marker 5, a 71-year-old male riding a 2004 Harley-Davidson northbound entered the southbound lane to avoid a southbound 2019 Harley-Davidson operated by a 69-year-old male who was entering a curve near the center of the road. The southbound rider swerved right to avoid a collision. Both motorcycles overturned, and both riders suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Both were transported to Monument Health in Custer.
· 1:05 p.m. Wednesday (U.S. Highway 16A): A 62-year-old male on a 2015 Harley-Davidson traveling eastbound lost control in a left curve near mile marker 31. The driver, who was wearing a helmet, sustained minor injuries, declined medical transport, and was able to ride his motorcycle from the scene.
· 12:45 a.m. Thursday (Interstate 90): A 58-year-old male driving a 1993 Harley-Davidson eastbound near mile marker 45 lost control during rainy weather and left the roadway into the median. The helmeted rider sustained minor injuries and was transported to Monument Health in Rapid City.
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