Fatal crashes in Benton County, Arkansas
In 2024, 27 people died in 25 fatal crashes in Benton County, 3.8% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 239 fatal crashes and 261 deaths, the 3rd most of any county in Arkansas.
8.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 19.5 across Arkansas in 2024; 9.2 against 19.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 321,566, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Arkansas.
Deaths in Benton County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25 | 27 |
| 2023 | 23 | 26 |
| 2022 | 25 | 27 |
| 2021 | 30 | 35 |
| 2020 | 34 | 35 |
| 2019 | 22 | 23 |
| 2018 | 17 | 18 |
| 2017 | 15 | 15 |
| 2016 | 27 | 30 |
| 2015 | 21 | 25 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Benton County
US 71 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Benton County from 2015 to 2024: 29, with 31 deaths. The 12 roads listed held 69% of all fatal crashes in Benton County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 3 US routes, 8 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 | US 71 | 29 | 31 | 6 | |
| 2 | I-49 | 27 | 28 | 10 | |
| 3 | US 62 | 21 | 23 | 4 | |
| 4 | State Highway 12 | 19 | 19 | 5 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 72 | 14 | 17 | 7 | no page |
| 6 | US 412 | 13 | 15 | 6 | |
| 7 | State Highway 59 | 9 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 264 | 8 | 9 | 0 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 94 | 8 | 8 | 4 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 43 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 102 | 6 | 7 | 3 | no page |
| 12 | State Highway 16 | 5 | 7 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Bentonville 36, Rogers 36, Siloam Springs 17, Lowell 10, Bella Vista 8, Garfield 5, Gravette 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 Benton County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 4 to 8 pm, with 15 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 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 | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 6.3 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.6%
- Feb5.4%
- Mar6.7%
- Apr7.5%
- May7.5%
- Jun10.5%
- Jul9.2%
- Aug9.6%
- Sep10.5%
- Oct7.9%
- Nov6.7%
- Dec8.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Benton County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 46%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 30%, a pedestrian in 12%, a rollover in 8.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 109 | 46% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 72 | 30% |
| Pedestrian | 28 | 12% |
| Rollover | 21 | 8.8% |
| Cyclist | 4 | 1.7% |
| Other | 4 | 1.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.4% |
| 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 Benton County compare with Arkansas
A drinking driver was recorded in 30% of fatal crashes in Benton County from 2015 to 2024, above the Arkansas share of 27%; speeding in 24%, above the Arkansas share of 22%; a hit-and-run in 3.3%, about the Arkansas share; a driver recorded as distracted in 4.2%, about the Arkansas share; 40% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Arkansas share of 54%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Arkansas. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Benton | Arkansas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 39% | 63% | below the Arkansas share |
| At or near an intersection | 26% | 15% | above the Arkansas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 32% | 34% | below the Arkansas share |
| A drinking driver | 30% | 27% | above the Arkansas share |
| Speeding | 24% | 22% | above the Arkansas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.2% | 3.6% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 40% | 54% | below the Arkansas share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.3% | 3.9% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 21% | 15% | above the Arkansas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 11% | 11% | about the same as the Arkansas 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 Benton County
- How many people died in car accidents in Benton County in 2024?
- 27 people died in 25 fatal crashes in Benton County, Arkansas, in 2024, 3.8% more than in 2023. That is 8.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 19.5 across Arkansas.
- What is the deadliest road in Benton County?
- US 71 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Benton County from 2015 to 2024: 29, with 31 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Benton County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 4 to 8 pm, with 15 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Benton County involved a drinking driver?
- 71 of 239 fatal crashes in Benton County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 30%, against 27% across Arkansas.
Other counties in Arkansas with a page
- Pulaski County
- Washington County
- Garland County
- Craighead County
- Faulkner County
- White County
- Sebastian County
- Saline County
- Crittenden County
- Jefferson County
- Lonoke County
- Hot Spring County
All fatal crashes in Arkansas, with every county ranked.
Where the Benton County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Benton County (county code 7). 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.