Sturgis Bike Weeks claims six lives - KOTA Territory News

Sturgis Bike Weeks claims six lives

A fifth person has died during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol says a motorcycle driven by Wilbert Verpooten, age 76, from Lake Orion MI, was traveling south on U.S. 85. Verpooten crossed the center line while negotiating a curve and impacted the trailer pulled by a Ford F-350 driven by Lisa Hollars, age 45, of Laurel IN.

Verpooten was not wearing a helmet and was transported to the Lead Deadwood Hospital by ambulance where he died from his injuries. Hollars was uninjured in the crash.

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A vehicle driven by Lynn Myers, age 55, from Alliance, NE, and her passengers, Jackie Lotker, age 54, and Matthew Lotker, age 21, also from Alliance, NE, were traveling south on U.S. 85. Another vehicle driven by Tyia Rankin, age 65, from Belle Fourche, SD, was traveling east on

Old Belle Road in Belle Fourche. Rankin failed to yield at the intersection and the two vehicles collided. Ms. Meyers and her passengers were wearing seatbelts and received minor injuries.

Rankin was wearing a seat belt but received serious injuries and was transported to Spearfish Hospital, and later Life-Flighted to Rapid City Regional Hospital. While at the hospital, Rankin passed away due to her injuries. Alcohol was not involved.