FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013

CONTACT: Lieutenant David Berkley 605.394.2286

    Highway Patrol Sturgis Rally Daily Information

Below are the statistics as of 6 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013

Fatal Crashes:

A 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by Magnus Unser Jr, 60, from Waterford, WI, was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 212 one mile east of Newell. A 1989 Ford van driven by Reed Borden, 56, from Newell S.D., was traveling northbound on Northwestern Avenue. Borden stopped for the stop sign at the intersection of Northwestern Avenue and Highway 212, did not see Unser's motorcycle approaching, and drove his van directly into the path of Unser's motorcycle. Unser's motorcycle impacted Borden's van and Unser was killed instantly. Borden was not injured. Unser was wearing a helmet and Borden was wearing a seatbelt. Alcohol is not a factor. Borden was cited for failure to yield after stopping.

On Aug. 5, 2013 a one-vehicle motorcycle crash occurred on Vanocker Canyon Road near the Galena intersection. A 2011 Harley Davidson Road King, driven by John Peebles, 55, from Richmond Hills, TX, was traveling northbound on Vanocker Canyon, near the Galena intersection, approaching a curve when the motorcycle traveled off the roadway into the east ditch. The motorcycle rolled and the driver became separated from the motorcycle. The driver came to final rest in the northbound lane and the motorcycle came to final rest in the east ditch. Peebles was wearing a helmet. Peebles died of his injuries from the crash.  The accident is under investigation.

Injury Crashes:

Troopers were called to an injury crash on U.S. Highway 85 mile marker 11, west of Cheyenne Crossing. A 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Brian Blanchard, 55, and his passenger Rita Blanchard, 50, both from Fremont, NE, were traveling westbound when Blanchard failed to negotiate a curve, lost control, and came to final rest in the north ditch. Brian Blanchard was not wearing a helmet and suffered life threatening injuries. Rita Blanchard was wearing a helmet and sustained minor injuries. Alcohol was not a factor. No charges were filed.

A 2005 Harley Davidson Road King, driven by Ronald Hunt, 64, and his passenger, Vicky Hunt, 55, both from Fruitland, FL, was negotiating a curve on Pleasant Valley Drive, northeast of Conifer Trail near Sturgis. Ralph Heurta Jr., 63, from Lakeside, CA, operating a 2000 Harley Davidson Road King, traveling eastbound on Pleasant Valley Drive, didn’t realize the road curved and went straight through the curve, colliding with the side of the Hunt motorcycle.  All were transported to Sturgis Hospital. The Hunts were treated for minor injuries.  Heurta was treated for serious non-life threatening injuries. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash. Heurta was wearing a helmet. No charges were filed.

Bruce Graves, 54, from Hill City, S.D., was driving a 1996 Dodge pickup pulling a trailer westbound on U.S. Highway 16 in Hill City. James Trevino, 33, of Toledo, Ohio, was driving a 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle behind Graves. Graves slowed down to turn right into a private driveway and moved to the left to make a wide turn right. The turn signals on the trailer were not working properly. Trevino attempted to pass the pickup and trailer on the right in the same lane and struck the pickup and overturned. Trevino and his passenger, Yvonne Trevino, 36, also from Toledo, OH, suffered minor injuries and were not taken to the hospital. Helmets and seatbelts were not worn. Trevino was cited for improper passing. Speed and alcohol were not factors. Assisting were the Pennington County Sheriff's Office and the Hill City Volunteer Fire department.

Eugene Greene, 57, from Cadott, WI, was driving a 1999 Harley Davidson motorcycle eastbound on U.S. Highway 16 west of Rapid City, making a right turn into the Happy Holiday Campground. Steven Lanier, 49, from Augusta, KS, driving a 1999 Harley Davidson motorcycle, was also traveling eastbound and rear-ended Greene’s motorcycle. Greene, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered minor injuries and refused transport to the hospital. Lanier and his passenger, Janet Lanier, 48, also from Augusta, KS, were not wearing helmets and were taken to Rapid City Regional Hospital by ambulance with serious non-life threatening injuries. There were no charges, and speed and alcohol were not factors. Assisting at the scene were the Pennington County Sheriff's Office, Rapid City Fire and Rescue and the Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department.

Wayne Shaffer, 67, of Haywood, WI, was driving a 1996 Harley Davidson motorcycle eastbound on U.S. Highway 16 west of Rapid City. Shaffer slowed down for a crash ahead and lost his balance. The motorcycle tipped over injuring Shaffer's leg. He was taken to Rapid City Regional Hospital by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries. He was not wearing a helmet, and speed and alcohol were not factors. There were no charges. Assisting at the scene were the Pennington County Sheriff's Office, Rapid City Fire and Rescue and the Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department.

A 2003 Harley Davidson Classic driven by Kelly Callihan, 51, from Haines City, FL, was westbound on U.S. Highway 16, approaching the intersection with U.S. Highway 385.  The driver of a 2008 Harley Davidson Classic, Gregg, Llewellyn, 53, from Bath, NY, was eastbound on Highway 16, turning left onto Highway 385 and failed to yield the right of way to Callihan and collided with his motorcycle. Neither driver wore a helmet. Llewellyn received minor injuries. Charges are pending for Llewellyn for failure to yield right of way.

A 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle, driven by Ralph Harris, 61, and his passenger Mervie Harris, 61, both from Toquerville, UT, was stopped in the roadway turning left into Boondocks at U.S. Highway 385 and Nemo Road, with turn signal activated. Mitchell Dickerson, 54, and his passenger Anne Dickerson, 54, both from Tylertown, MS, attempted to slow his 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle but was unable to and impacted with the rear of Harris’ motorcycle, causing the drivers and passengers of both motorcycles to spill onto the roadway. All the occupants were released from the hospital and treated for minor injuries. The passengers and Harris were wearing helmets. Alcohol and speed were not factors in the crash. No charges were filed. Neither motorcycle was towed.

A 1996 Harley Davidson motorcycle, driven by James Tersteeg, 67, from Redwood Falls, MN, on S.D. Highway 34 mile marker 47, failed to negotiate a curve and hit a delineator post causing the driver to roll into the south ditch. The driver was transported to Sturgis Hospital and treated for minor injuries. No charges pending.

Other Noteworthy Events:

Troy Andasola, 61, of Aurora, CO, was stopped for a traffic violation on U.S. Highway 18 mile marker 10 near Edgemont, S.D. During the stop numerous indicators of criminal activity were observed. A  Police Service Dog was deployed around the exterior of the vehicle. A search revealed four grams of hash in the vehicle. The subject was placed under arrest and charged accordingly.

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