Fatal crashes in Lee County, Alabama
In 2024, 26 people died in 25 fatal crashes in Lee County, Alabama, 4.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 183 fatal crashes and 193 deaths, the 12th most of 67 counties in Alabama.
13.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.7 across Alabama in 2024; 11.3 against 19.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 187,847, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Alabama.
Deaths in Lee County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25 | 26 |
| 2023 | 24 | 25 |
| 2022 | 16 | 17 |
| 2021 | 19 | 19 |
| 2020 | 19 | 21 |
| 2019 | 16 | 17 |
| 2018 | 20 | 23 |
| 2017 | 15 | 15 |
| 2016 | 17 | 18 |
| 2015 | 12 | 12 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Lee County
I-85 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lee County from 2015 to 2024: 23, with 26 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 32% of all fatal crashes in Lee County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 4 state highways. 37% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 63% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-85 | 23 | 26 | 11 | |
| 2 | State Highway 51 | 9 | 9 | 3 | no page |
| 3 | US 280 | 9 | 9 | 5 | |
| 4 | State Highway 14 | 8 | 8 | 2 | |
| 5 | State Highway 147 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 169 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Opelika had 23% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 43 of 183.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Opelika 43, Auburn 37. 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 Lee County
183 fatal crashes in Lee 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 5 pm to 6 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.1%
- Feb7.1%
- Mar2.7%
- Apr10.9%
- May7.7%
- Jun8.7%
- Jul10.9%
- Aug6.0%
- Sep9.8%
- Oct11.5%
- Nov9.3%
- Dec8.2%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Lee County 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 37%, a pedestrian in 12%, a rollover in 6.6%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 68 | 37% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 68 | 37% |
| Pedestrian | 21 | 12% |
| Rollover | 12 | 6.6% |
| Other | 10 | 5.5% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 1.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 1.1% |
| 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 Lee County compare with Alabama
The largest difference from Alabama: from 2015 to 2024, 46% of fatal crashes in Lee County were on rural roads, against 59% across Alabama. Below the Alabama share: unbelted occupants. 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 183 crashes.
| Lee | Alabama | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 46% | 59% | below the Alabama share |
| At or near an intersection | 19% | 18% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 34% | 33% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| A drinking driver | 29% | 25% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| Speeding | 24% | 27% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 3.8% | 5.5% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 46% | 58% | below the Alabama share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.8% | 3.9% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| A motorcycle involved | 11% | 10% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 11% | 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 Lee County, Alabama
- How many people died in car accidents in Lee County in 2024?
- 26 people died in 25 fatal crashes in Lee County, Alabama, in 2024, 4.0% more than in 2023. That is 13.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.7 across Alabama. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Lee County?
- I-85 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lee County from 2015 to 2024: 23, with 26 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Lee County involved a drinking driver?
- 53 of 183 fatal crashes in Lee County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 29%, 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
- Walker County
All fatal crashes in Alabama, with every county ranked.
Where the Lee County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Lee County (county code 81). 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/lee-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”