Most of 12 Bikers Who Died in 2024 Sturgis Rally Weren’t Wearing Helmets

Three motorcyclists have been announced dead following accidents directly-linked to the 2024 Sturgis Rally Event, in South Dakota, United States. That’s according to the state Department of Public Safety, however, the total number of deaths that took place when factoring in the days before, during and after the Sturgis Rally is now confirmed to be 12.

The Department of Public Safety, which includes the Highway Patrol, attributes deaths to the Rally if they take place in a particular area of western South Dakota during the start and end dates, according to the Bismarck Tribune report. This is up by one death from 2023’s total. The Highway Patrol also confirmed that the number for 2024 did not include any members who attended the Rally but died in other states when travelling to or from the event.

While the death total is alarming, so is the number of arrests made at the Rally. Fewer crashes took place in 2024, however, more arrests were made due to drug possession and impaired driving. That’s not all, as law enforcement seized a whopping $71,504 thousand dollars (roughly £55,000) in assets tied to criminal activity, which is a staggering 35 times more than 2023.

Ten of the motorcyclists killed were riding Harley-Davidson bikes, while the other two were on ‘other kinds of motorcycles’. Out of the 12 people who died, two were from South Dakota, while there were also residents of Tennessee, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio and North Dakota - the residence of three others remains unknown. The member of the public from North Dakota was a 73-year-old man called James Luchi, who was in attendance for his 37th Sturgis Rally appearance. Luchi was hit by a minivan.  

Another shocking stat from the death total was that only three of the 12 motorcyclists killed were wearing helmets, while seven were officially confirmed to be without a helmet when they suffered their accident. Helmet laws in South Dakota require all motorcycle riders and passengers under the age of 18 to wear a helmet that meets the DOT (Department of Transportation) Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. Other motorcyclists older than 18 years of age are not required to wear a helmet but must wear eye protection. This year’s Rally also saw a tally of 35 accidents lead to different types of injury, while 54 occurred but did not result in injury.

Drug possession and impaired driving to one side, there were also arrests made due to attempted sex trafficking. Seven men were arrested and charged.

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