Fatal crashes in Shelby County, Alabama
In 2024, 12 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Shelby County, Alabama, 42.9% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 195 fatal crashes and 209 deaths, the 10th most of 67 counties in Alabama.
5.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.7 across Alabama in 2024; 9.4 against 19.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 235,969, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Alabama.
Deaths in Shelby County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 12 |
| 2023 | 20 | 21 |
| 2022 | 18 | 18 |
| 2021 | 15 | 16 |
| 2020 | 20 | 20 |
| 2019 | 23 | 26 |
| 2018 | 25 | 27 |
| 2017 | 23 | 24 |
| 2016 | 24 | 26 |
| 2015 | 18 | 19 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Shelby County
I-65 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Shelby County from 2015 to 2024: 34, with 37 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 38% of all fatal crashes in Shelby County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 2 state highways. 49% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 51% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-65 | 34 | 37 | 9 | |
| 2 | State Highway 25 | 17 | 17 | 4 | no page |
| 3 | US 280 | 12 | 12 | 3 | |
| 4 | State Highway 119 | 11 | 13 | 4 | no page |
Pelham had 8.7% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 17 of 195.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Pelham 17, Calera 16, Hoover 14, Montevallo 11, Alabaster 10, Helena 6, Harpersville 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 Shelby County
195 fatal crashes in Shelby 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 2 pm to 3 pm; the worst month is June.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.2%
- Feb3.1%
- Mar4.1%
- Apr7.2%
- May9.2%
- Jun10.3%
- Jul10.3%
- Aug10.3%
- Sep8.7%
- Oct10.3%
- Nov9.7%
- 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 Shelby County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 43%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 36%, a pedestrian in 9.7%, a rollover in 5.6%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 83 | 43% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 71 | 36% |
| Pedestrian | 19 | 9.7% |
| Rollover | 11 | 5.6% |
| Other | 8 | 4.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 1.0% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.5% |
| 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 Shelby County compare with Alabama
The largest difference from Alabama: from 2015 to 2024, 42% of fatal crashes in Shelby County were on rural roads, against 59% across Alabama. 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 195 crashes.
| Shelby | Alabama | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 42% | 59% | below the Alabama share |
| At or near an intersection | 20% | 18% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 37% | 33% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| A drinking driver | 23% | 25% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| Speeding | 22% | 27% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.1% | 5.5% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 57% | 58% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.6% | 3.9% | about the same as the Alabama share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 10% | about the same as 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 Shelby County, Alabama
- How many people died in car accidents in Shelby County in 2024?
- 12 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Shelby County, Alabama, in 2024, 42.9% fewer than in 2023. That is 5.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.7 across Alabama. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Shelby County?
- I-65 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Shelby County from 2015 to 2024: 34, with 37 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Shelby County involved a drinking driver?
- 44 of 195 fatal crashes in Shelby County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 23%, 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
- Lee County
- Walker County
All fatal crashes in Alabama, with every county ranked.
Where the Shelby County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Shelby County (county code 117). 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/shelby-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”