Fatal crashes in Washington County, Arkansas
In 2024, 23 people died in 20 fatal crashes in Washington County, Arkansas, 23.3% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 242 fatal crashes and 262 deaths, the 2nd most of 75 counties in Arkansas.
8.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 19.5 across Arkansas in 2024; 10.7 against 19.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 266,184, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Arkansas.
Deaths in Washington County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 | 23 |
| 2023 | 25 | 30 |
| 2022 | 31 | 33 |
| 2021 | 28 | 29 |
| 2020 | 28 | 28 |
| 2019 | 20 | 21 |
| 2018 | 18 | 18 |
| 2017 | 22 | 24 |
| 2016 | 30 | 34 |
| 2015 | 20 | 22 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Washington County
US 412 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Washington County from 2015 to 2024: 35, with 41 deaths. The 10 roads listed held 68% of all fatal crashes in Washington County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 4 US routes, 5 state highways. 70% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 30% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 412 | 35 | 41 | 10 | |
| 2 | I-49 | 33 | 34 | 12 | |
| 3 | US 71 | 26 | 26 | 3 | |
| 4 | State Highway 16 | 22 | 22 | 5 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 265 | 10 | 11 | 4 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 45 | 9 | 9 | 3 | no page |
| 7 | US 71B | 8 | 10 | 8 | no page |
| 8 | US 62 | 8 | 8 | 1 | |
| 9 | State Highway 112 | 7 | 7 | 1 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 59 | 6 | 8 | 1 | no page |
Fayetteville had 29% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 70 of 242.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Fayetteville 70, Springdale 70, Tontitown 6. 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 Washington County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 15 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 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 | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.2 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.3%
- Feb7.9%
- Mar7.4%
- Apr7.9%
- May5.0%
- Jun10.3%
- Jul10.3%
- Aug12.0%
- Sep7.9%
- Oct7.9%
- Nov5.4%
- Dec9.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Washington County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 35%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 33%, a pedestrian in 19%, a rollover in 7.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 84 | 35% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 80 | 33% |
| Pedestrian | 45 | 19% |
| Rollover | 18 | 7.4% |
| Other | 8 | 3.3% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 2.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 0.8% |
| 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 Washington County compare with Arkansas
The largest difference from Arkansas: from 2015 to 2024, 31% of fatal crashes in Washington County were on rural roads, against 63% across Arkansas. Also above the Arkansas share: motorcycles and pedestrians. Below it: unbelted occupants. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Arkansas. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 242 crashes.
| Washington | Arkansas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 31% | 63% | below the Arkansas share |
| At or near an intersection | 18% | 15% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 32% | 34% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| A drinking driver | 24% | 27% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| Speeding | 24% | 22% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.8% | 3.6% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 41% | 54% | below the Arkansas share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.4% | 3.9% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 15% | above the Arkansas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 20% | 11% | above 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 Washington County, Arkansas
- How many people died in car accidents in Washington County in 2024?
- 23 people died in 20 fatal crashes in Washington County, Arkansas, in 2024, 23.3% fewer than in 2023. That is 8.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 19.5 across Arkansas. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Washington County?
- US 412 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Washington County from 2015 to 2024: 35, with 41 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Washington County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 15 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Washington County involved a drinking driver?
- 59 of 242 fatal crashes in Washington County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 24%, against 27% across Arkansas.
Other counties in Arkansas with a page
- Pulaski County
- Benton 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 Washington County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Washington County (county code 143). 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/arkansas/washington-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”