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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Jonathan Harms 605-347-2685
Highway Patrol Sturgis Rally Daily Information
Below are the statistics through 6:00 a.m., Monday August 04, 2014
Item | Northern Hills District | Rapid City District | District Total | Last Year to Date |
DUI Arrests | 59 | 9 | 68 | 83 |
Misd Drug Arrests | 46 | 28 | 74 | 67 |
Felony Drug Arrests | 8 | 20 | 28 | 9 |
Total Citations | 278 | 139 | 417 | 442 |
Total Warnings | 1009 | 331 | 1340 | 1191 |
Cash Seized | $1,351.00 | $5,976.00 | $7,327.00 | $11,900.00 |
Concealed Weap. Arrests | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Vehicles Seized | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
For Drug Poss. | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
For Serial No. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Non-Injury Accidents | 4 | 8 | 12 | 2 |
Injury Accidents | 8 | 10 | 18 | 28 |
Fatal Accidents | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
# of Fatalities | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Injury Crashes:
A 2004 Yamaha VXS 1100 motorcycle driven by Karrol Art Melcher, 56, of New Underwood, S.D., was traveling east behind a passenger car on S.D. Highway 44, two miles east of Johnson Siding. Melcher locked up his brakes, lost control and separated from his motorcycle which came to rest in the middle of the road. He sustained serious life threatening injuries from the crash. Melcher was transported to Rapid City Regional Hospital by a Rapid City Medic Unit. He was not wearing a helmet and alcohol was not a factor. No charges are pending.
A 2002 Harley Davidson Road King motorcycle driven by Michael Heenan, 54, of Blue Earth, Minn., was traveling southbound on Nemo Road when the rear tire locked and caused the motorcycle to fishtail and crash. The motorcycle and driver crossed the center line and came to rest in the northbound lane. Heenan, who was not wearing a helmet, received minor injuries and refused medical aid. Alcohol and speed are not factors. No charges are pending.
A 2004 Yamaha XVS 1100, driven by Dirk Kitzelman, 55, of Rapid City, S.D., was traveling eastbound on S.D. Highway 34 near mile marker 40. He was traveling with passenger Christel Kitzelman, 47, of Rapid City. Dirk Kitzelman approached the entrance to Bear Butte Creek campground and applied his brakes when the vehicle ahead slowed. He lost control of the motorcycle and tipped over, which caused the driver and passenger to become separated from the motorcycle. Both received serious non-life threatening injuries. They were transported by Sturgis Ambulance to Sturgis Hospital. Both were wearing helmets. No charges are pending.
A bicycle ridden by Adam Habets, 36, of Butte, Mont., was traveling on a bicycle trail parallel to U.S. Highway 14A near mile marker 14.5. A deer ran out in front of his bike which caused him to swerve and fall off his bike. He received serious but non-life threatening injuries. Habets was transported by Deadwood ambulance to a landing zone and then flown to a Rapid City hospital. Mr. Habets was not wearing a helmet.
A 2009 Harley-Davidson MC motorcycle operated by Peter J. Laruffa, 61, of Hillsborough, N.J. was traveling northbound on S.D. Highway 87 near mile marker 57. He entered into a left hand curve and the motorcycle failed to negotiate the curve. Laruffa lost control of the motorcycle which went down onto its left side and entered the north ditch. Laruffa was thrown from the motorcycle into the ditch. He received serious non-life threatening injuries and was transported by Custer EMS to Rapid City Regional Hospital. Mr. Laruffa was not wearing a helmet. Speed and alcohol were not factors in this crash. No charges are pending.
A 2012 Harley Davidson FLHX motorcycle driven by Donald Meyer, 60, of Watertown, S.D., was traveling east on Interstate 90 near mile marker 57. Due to a standstill in traffic, Meyer lost control of the motorcycle and crashed. He was thrown from the motorcycle as it rolled and then came to rest in the middle of the roadway. The driver received serious non-life threatening injuries. He was transported to Rapid City Regional Hospital by a Rapid City Fire unit. Meyer was wearing a helmet and no charges are pending.
Other Noteworthy Events:
A Fla. semi-truck and trailer driver was reported as swerving on the roadway and almost hitting some motorcycles. The vehicle and driver were located and a search revealed that the driver was in possession of a controlled substance. The driver was charged accordingly.
A Calif. motor home was stopped for a driving violation. A search revealed more than two ounces of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The motor home and $1,351.00 in U.S. currency are being held pending asset forfeiture. The driver and passenger will be charged accordingly.
A Mass. motor home was stopped for a moving violation. A search revealed eighteen grams of heroin and a small amount of marijuana. The driver and passenger were arrested and will be charged accordingly. The motor home and $5,976.00 are pending asset forfeiture through the Attorney General’s office.
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