Fatal Crash Data

I-5: fatal crashes in every state

From 2015 to 2024, 1,745 fatal crashes on I-5 killed 1,977 people across the 3 states it runs through, the 7th most of any interstate. In 2024 there were 194 fatal crashes and 218 deaths on the road.

1,382 miles in all; 12.63 fatal crashes a year per 100 miles. All interstates ranked.

I-5 by state: fatal crashes, deaths and per mile

California has the most fatal crashes on I-5, 1,214 from 2015 to 2024. Each state's stretch is counted within that state; the per-mile figure needs 20 miles or more of road.

StateFatal crashesDeaths2024MilesPer 100 miles a year
1I-5 in California1,2141,39613379715.24
2I-5 in Washington3393703727712.26
3I-5 in Oregon190209243086.16

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

Mileage from the FHWA Interstate route log (table 1), the only figure here not counted from FARS.

Deaths on I-5 by year

50100150200250201620182020202220242021: 2512024: 218
YearFatal crashesDeaths
2024194218
2023155189
2022201221
2021222251
2020164177
2019149166
2018172214
2017179198
2016160184
2015149159

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

When fatal crashes happen on I-5

The heaviest slot is Saturday, midnight to 4 am, with 106 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 am to 4 am; the worst month is August.

Share of fatal crashes in I-5 by weekday and time of day, 2015 to 2024, in percent
Midnight to 44 to 8 am8 to noonNoon to 44 to 8 pm8 to midnight
Sun6.1 percent, 104 fatal crashes3.2 percent, 55 fatal crashes2.1 percent, 36 fatal crashes1.0 percent, 18 fatal crashes2.6 percent, 44 fatal crashes3.5 percent, 60 fatal crashes
Mon2.9 percent, 50 fatal crashes2.3 percent, 39 fatal crashes1.6 percent, 27 fatal crashes1.3 percent, 23 fatal crashes1.9 percent, 32 fatal crashes2.6 percent, 45 fatal crashes
Tue3.0 percent, 51 fatal crashes1.9 percent, 32 fatal crashes0.9 percent, 15 fatal crashes1.7 percent, 30 fatal crashes1.7 percent, 29 fatal crashes2.9 percent, 49 fatal crashes
Wed2.6 percent, 44 fatal crashes2.4 percent, 41 fatal crashes1.1 percent, 19 fatal crashes1.4 percent, 24 fatal crashes1.7 percent, 30 fatal crashes2.6 percent, 44 fatal crashes
Thu3.3 percent, 57 fatal crashes2.5 percent, 43 fatal crashes1.3 percent, 22 fatal crashes1.3 percent, 23 fatal crashes1.2 percent, 21 fatal crashes2.5 percent, 43 fatal crashes
Fri2.9 percent, 49 fatal crashes2.2 percent, 38 fatal crashes1.2 percent, 20 fatal crashes1.5 percent, 26 fatal crashes2.6 percent, 44 fatal crashes3.8 percent, 65 fatal crashes
Sat6.2 percent, 106 fatal crashes3.0 percent, 52 fatal crashes1.2 percent, 20 fatal crashes2.5 percent, 43 fatal crashes2.7 percent, 46 fatal crashes3.3 percent, 56 fatal crashes

By hour

By month

  • Jan6.8%
  • Feb7.7%
  • Mar9.3%
  • Apr7.0%
  • May7.5%
  • Jun8.7%
  • Jul8.6%
  • Aug10.1%
  • Sep8.6%
  • Oct9.1%
  • Nov8.6%
  • Dec8.0%

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

What fatal crashes on I-5 first hit

The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 37%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 26%, a pedestrian in 21%, a rollover in 9.3%.

First harmful eventFatal crashesShare
Collision with another vehicle64137%
Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch)45126%
Pedestrian35721%
Rollover1639.3%
Parked vehicle714.1%
Other502.9%
Cyclist120.7%
Not reported00.0%

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

How fatal crashes on I-5 compare with the United States

A drinking driver was recorded in 27% of fatal crashes in I-5 from 2015 to 2024, above the US share of 26%; speeding in 32%, above the US share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 7.4%, about the US share; a driver recorded as distracted in 8.4%, about the US share; 37% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the US share of 49%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all US roads.

I-5US
On rural stretches35%43%below the US share
In the dark, road unlit37%28%above the US share
A drinking driver27%26%above the US share
Speeding32%27%above the US share
A distracted driver8.4%8.7%about the same as the US share
Occupants killed unbelted37%49%below the US share
Hit-and-run7.4%6.5%about the same as the US share
A motorcycle involved11%16%below the US share
Pedestrians among the dead21%17%above the US share

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

Questions about fatal crashes in I-5

How many fatal crashes have there been on I-5?
1,745 fatal crashes killed 1,977 people on I-5 from 2015 to 2024, across the 3 states it runs through. In 2024 there were 194 fatal crashes and 218 deaths.
Which state has the most fatal crashes on I-5?
California, with 1,214 fatal crashes and 1,396 deaths from 2015 to 2024; Washington is second with 339. Per mile, California's stretch has 15.24 fatal crashes a year per 100 miles.
How dangerous is I-5 per mile?
12.63 fatal crashes a year per 100 miles over 2015 to 2024, on 1,382 miles of road. That is crashes per mile of road, not per vehicle: FARS records crashes, not traffic. I-5 ranks 7th of 68 interstates on this site by fatal crashes.
When do fatal crashes on I-5 happen most often?
The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, midnight to 4 am, with 106 fatal crashes.

Other interstates

The deadliest roads in America, every interstate ranked.

Where the I-5 numbers come from

Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash whose road NHTSA filed as I-5, in every state, with ramps, frontage and service roads left out. A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The full method.