Austin Motorcyclist in critical condition after crash near Sturgis

Published 11:33 am Thursday, August 11, 2011

An Austin man is in critical condition after his motorcycle collided with an oncoming pickup truck on U.S. Highway 16 near Newcastle, Wyo. last weekend.

Michael Braaten, 62, was reportedly attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, S.D.

According to the South Dakota State Patrol, Braaten was traveling east on U.S. Highway 16 near mile marker 12 when the crash happened. Braaten reportedly lost control of his Harley Davidson motorcycle, crossed the center line and struck a Ford F150.

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Braaten was taken by ambulance to the Newcastle, Wyo. hospital and later airlifted to Rapid City Regional Hospital to be treated for “life-threatening injuries,” according to the South Dakota State Patrol. He was not wearing a helmet at the time.

William Stumpff, 38, of Newcastle, Wyo., was the only occupant of the pickup. He was uninjured.