(Sturgis, S.D.)– A crash related to the motorcycle rally going on in Sturgis, South Dakota has claimed the life of a man from southwest Minnesota.
The South Dakota State Highway Patrol says 83-year-old Eugene Sowles, Jr. of Round Lake was killed when he crashed his motorcycle while riding on U.S. Highway 16A Sunday near Sturgis.
Troopers say Sowles failed to negotiate a right-hand curve as he was traveling eastbound. A 2001 Harley Davidson he was driving traveled across the westbound lane of the highway, went into the ditch, then traveled back onto the highway where it tipped onto its side and slid.
Authorities say Sowle was wearing a helmet and that alcohol was not a factor in the crash.
