Fatal crashes in Russell County, Alabama
In 2024, 10 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Russell County, Alabama, down from 15 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 149 fatal crashes and 164 deaths, the 20th most of 67 counties in Alabama.
17 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.7 across Alabama in 2024; 28.1 against 19.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 58,837, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Alabama.
Deaths in Russell County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 10 |
| 2023 | 13 | 15 |
| 2022 | 13 | 14 |
| 2021 | 20 | 20 |
| 2020 | 18 | 19 |
| 2019 | 9 | 9 |
| 2018 | 16 | 16 |
| 2017 | 15 | 15 |
| 2016 | 21 | 29 |
| 2015 | 16 | 17 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Russell County
State Highway 165 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Russell County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 19 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 45% of all fatal crashes in Russell County from 2015 to 2024; 3 US routes, 3 state highways. 48% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 52% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 165 | 19 | 19 | 5 | no page |
| 2 | US 80 | 15 | 17 | 6 | |
| 3 | US 431 | 14 | 16 | 7 | |
| 4 | State Highway 26 | 7 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 5 | US 280 | 7 | 7 | 3 | |
| 6 | State Highway 169 | 5 | 5 | 0 | no page |
Phenix City had 38% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 57 of 149.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Phenix City 57. 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 Russell County
149 fatal crashes in Russell 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 10 pm to 11 pm; the worst month is August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.0%
- Feb8.1%
- Mar6.7%
- Apr8.7%
- May6.7%
- Jun12.1%
- Jul6.0%
- Aug12.8%
- Sep10.7%
- Oct6.7%
- Nov6.7%
- Dec8.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Russell County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 42%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 29%, a pedestrian in 17%, a rollover in 6.7%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 63 | 42% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 43 | 29% |
| Pedestrian | 26 | 17% |
| Rollover | 10 | 6.7% |
| Other | 5 | 3.4% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 1.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Russell County compare with Alabama
The largest difference from Alabama: from 2015 to 2024, 45% of occupants killed in Russell County were unbelted, against 58% across Alabama. Also above the Alabama share: intersections. Below it: rural roads. 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 149 crashes.
| Russell | Alabama | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 50% | 59% | below the Alabama share |
| At or near an intersection | 28% | 18% | above the Alabama share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 31% | 33% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| A drinking driver | 19% | 25% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| Speeding | 22% | 27% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 2.7% | 5.5% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 45% | 58% | below the Alabama share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.0% | 3.9% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 10% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 17% | 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 Russell County, Alabama
- How many people died in car accidents in Russell County in 2024?
- 10 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Russell County, Alabama, in 2024, down from 15 in 2023. That is 17 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.7 across Alabama. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Russell County?
- State Highway 165 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Russell County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 19 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Russell County involved a drinking driver?
- 28 of 149 fatal crashes in Russell County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 19%, 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 Russell County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Russell County (county code 113). 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/russell-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”