Patrol: Nine people died at Sturgis rally

STURGIS, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Highway Patrol said nine people died at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which officially ended on Sunday.

The Patrol said eight people died in fatal accidents, including an Oakes, N.D., woman who was killed Friday when her motorcycle struck a pickup truck driven by a Colorado man.

Authorities said the victim, 43-year-old Sheila Coleman, was not wearing a helmet.

The Patrol said 50 people were injured in accidents during the rally, down from 80 last year.

Statistics released Sunday show that 251 people were arrested for driving drunk during the event, up from 235 last year. Misdemeanor drug arrests were up from 149 to 185. Felony drug arrests were down from 43 last year to 34 this year.

Preliminary reports show that traffic numbers were up over 2011.

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