Car crashes into bikes at motorcycle rally in Portage Des Sioux

PORTAGE DES SIOUX, Mo. – It’s one of the biggest bike rallies in the region, drawing thousands of riders here to this small river town every first weekend in October. But even after a quick hiccup from an attendee this year, organizers say it’s proof this event is about more than motorcycles.

Andy Dallwitz, the owner of the Longshot Saloon, hosts the event, and he says it’s one of the biggest annual celebrations for the area.

For 25 years, the Rat Run has packed the riverfront along the LongShot compound, with up to 6,000 motorcycles, live music, and community, all without a major incident. That changed this weekend due to one of the attendees.

Authorities say a 24-year-old in a borrowed Corvette was doing burnouts while leaving the event when he lost control and hit several parked motorcycles before crashing into a boat trailer.

Attendees are not supposed to participate in the performances of the weekend, as the venue brings in professionally trained and paid drivers for safe entertainment. One of those professional drivers crashed on the highway on his way to the event this weekend, unrelated to performance, and is now holding on for life in the ICU.

The boat the 24-year-old driver struck at the event wasn’t damaged, unlike the rows of bikes—out of luck or maybe a little blessing from the bay’s Virgin Mary statue?

The driver was cited for careless and imprudent driving.

Dallwitz said everyone was glad the attendee was okay despite the property damages. Crews had the scene of piled and mangled bikes cleared quickly thanks to a nearby tenant who owns a tow truck company. The driver was uninjured but a bystander was taken to the hospital for a broken ankle.

By Sunday, LongShot adjusted on the fly keeping the event lines strictly for motorcycles. The Saloon and Tiki Bar owner says safety is the event’s top priority and next year’s Rat Run is already in the works to be even better for his community.