Fatal crashes in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska
In 2024, 18 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, 38.5% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 164 fatal crashes and 186 deaths, the 2nd most of any county in Alaska.
15.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.5 across Alaska in 2024; 17 against 9.8 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 117,613, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Alaska.
Deaths in Matanuska-Susitna Borough by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 18 |
| 2023 | 12 | 13 |
| 2022 | 25 | 27 |
| 2021 | 13 | 15 |
| 2020 | 11 | 13 |
| 2019 | 20 | 20 |
| 2018 | 17 | 24 |
| 2017 | 20 | 21 |
| 2016 | 20 | 20 |
| 2015 | 12 | 15 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
State Highway 3 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Matanuska-Susitna Borough from 2015 to 2024: 45, with 58 deaths. The 2 roads listed held 42% of all fatal crashes in Matanuska-Susitna Borough from 2015 to 2024; 2 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes with 5 or more fatal crashes in the county; county roads and city streets are in the county's total but not listed.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 3 | 45 | 58 | 12 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 1 | 24 | 27 | 7 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Wasilla 52, Palmer 27, Willow 9, Houston 6, Sutton 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 Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan10.4%
- Feb6.1%
- Mar6.1%
- Apr7.9%
- May11.0%
- Jun5.5%
- Jul11.0%
- Aug7.9%
- Sep7.9%
- Oct7.3%
- Nov9.1%
- Dec9.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Matanuska-Susitna Borough first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in most fatal crashes, 54%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 19%, a rollover in 13%, a pedestrian in 6.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 89 | 54% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 31 | 19% |
| Rollover | 21 | 13% |
| Other | 12 | 7.3% |
| Pedestrian | 10 | 6.1% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.6% |
| 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 Matanuska-Susitna Borough compare with Alaska
A drinking driver was recorded in 38% of fatal crashes in Matanuska-Susitna Borough from 2015 to 2024, above the Alaska share of 34%; speeding in 41%, above the Alaska share of 39%; a hit-and-run in 2.4%, below the Alaska share of 6.9%; a driver recorded as distracted in 6.7%, about the Alaska share; 52% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the Alaska share of 49%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Alaska. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough | Alaska | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 59% | 53% | above the Alaska share |
| At or near an intersection | 16% | 22% | below the Alaska share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 32% | 24% | above the Alaska share |
| A drinking driver | 38% | 34% | above the Alaska share |
| Speeding | 41% | 39% | above the Alaska share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.7% | 5.8% | about the same as the Alaska share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 52% | 49% | above the Alaska share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.4% | 6.9% | below the Alaska share |
| A motorcycle involved | 9.8% | 12% | below the Alaska share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 5.4% | 18% | below the Alaska 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 Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- How many people died in car accidents in Matanuska-Susitna Borough in 2024?
- 18 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, in 2024, 38.5% more than in 2023. That is 15.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.5 across Alaska.
- What is the deadliest road in Matanuska-Susitna Borough?
- State Highway 3 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Matanuska-Susitna Borough from 2015 to 2024: 45, with 58 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Matanuska-Susitna Borough involved a drinking driver?
- 62 of 164 fatal crashes in Matanuska-Susitna Borough from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 38%, against 34% across Alaska.
Other counties in Alaska with a page
All fatal crashes in Alaska, with every county ranked.
Where the Matanuska-Susitna Borough numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Matanuska-Susitna Borough (county code 170). 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. The full method.