Fatal crashes in Etowah County, Alabama
In 2024, 22 people died in 19 fatal crashes in Etowah County, Alabama, 10.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 176 fatal crashes and 198 deaths, the 15th most of 67 counties in Alabama.
21.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.7 across Alabama in 2024; 19.2 against 19.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 103,207, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Alabama.
Deaths in Etowah County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 | 22 |
| 2023 | 14 | 20 |
| 2022 | 21 | 24 |
| 2021 | 13 | 14 |
| 2020 | 18 | 19 |
| 2019 | 18 | 19 |
| 2018 | 10 | 10 |
| 2017 | 20 | 25 |
| 2016 | 29 | 31 |
| 2015 | 14 | 14 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Etowah County
I-59 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Etowah County from 2015 to 2024: 20, with 26 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 43% of all fatal crashes in Etowah County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 US routes, 3 state highways. 52% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 48% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-59 | 20 | 26 | 9 | |
| 2 | State Highway 77 | 14 | 14 | 6 | |
| 3 | US 431 | 12 | 13 | 5 | |
| 4 | State Highway 1 | 7 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 5 | US 278 | 7 | 7 | 3 | |
| 6 | US 411 | 5 | 7 | 1 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 25 | 5 | 6 | 0 | no page |
| 8 | I-759 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Gadsden had 26% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 45 of 176.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Gadsden 45, Attalla 10, Glencoe 8, Southside 7, Sardis City 6, Rainbow City 6, Hokes Bluff 5. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen in Etowah County
175 fatal crashes in Etowah County, Alabama from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 4 pm to 5 pm; the worst month is May.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.8%
- Feb4.5%
- Mar6.2%
- Apr10.2%
- May13.1%
- Jun6.8%
- Jul11.4%
- Aug10.2%
- Sep7.4%
- Oct8.5%
- Nov5.1%
- Dec9.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Etowah County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 39%; a collision with another vehicle in 38%, a pedestrian in 10%, a rollover in 8.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 69 | 39% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 67 | 38% |
| Pedestrian | 18 | 10% |
| Rollover | 15 | 8.5% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 1.7% |
| Other | 3 | 1.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.6% |
| Not reported | 0 | 0.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Etowah County compare with Alabama
The largest difference from Alabama: from 2015 to 2024, 42% of fatal crashes in Etowah County were on rural roads, against 59% across Alabama. Also above the Alabama share: intersections and motorcycles. Below it: unlit roads at night and drinking drivers. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Alabama. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 176 crashes.
| Etowah | Alabama | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 42% | 59% | below the Alabama share |
| At or near an intersection | 25% | 18% | above the Alabama share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 24% | 33% | below the Alabama share |
| A drinking driver | 18% | 25% | below the Alabama share |
| Speeding | 25% | 27% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 2.8% | 5.5% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 55% | 58% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.4% | 3.9% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 10% | above the Alabama share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 10% | 12% | about the same as the Alabama 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 Etowah County, Alabama
- How many people died in car accidents in Etowah County in 2024?
- 22 people died in 19 fatal crashes in Etowah County, Alabama, in 2024, 10.0% more than in 2023. That is 21.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.7 across Alabama. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Etowah County?
- I-59 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Etowah County from 2015 to 2024: 20, with 26 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Etowah County involved a drinking driver?
- 32 of 176 fatal crashes in Etowah County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 18%, against 25% across Alabama.
Other counties in Alabama with a page
- Jefferson County
- Mobile County
- Madison County
- Montgomery County
- Tuscaloosa County
- Baldwin County
- Limestone County
- Cullman County
- Talladega County
- Calhoun County
- Shelby County
- Lee County
All fatal crashes in Alabama, with every county ranked.
Where the Etowah County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Etowah County (county code 55). A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The rate per 100,000 uses the Census Bureau's population estimate for the county; it is the only figure here not counted from FARS. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/alabama/etowah-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”