Fatal crashes in Contra Costa County, California
In 2024, 66 people died in 64 fatal crashes in Contra Costa County, 32.7% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 753 fatal crashes and 811 deaths, the 12th most of any county in California.
5.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California in 2024; 7 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 1,172,607, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in California.
Deaths in Contra Costa County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 64 | 66 |
| 2023 | 87 | 98 |
| 2022 | 64 | 69 |
| 2021 | 90 | 95 |
| 2020 | 95 | 104 |
| 2019 | 69 | 77 |
| 2018 | 72 | 79 |
| 2017 | 62 | 66 |
| 2016 | 78 | 81 |
| 2015 | 72 | 76 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Contra Costa County
State Highway 4 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Contra Costa County from 2015 to 2024: 106, with 116 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 36% of all fatal crashes in Contra Costa County from 2015 to 2024; 3 are interstates, 3 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 4 | 106 | 116 | 33 | |
| 2 | I-80 | 66 | 77 | 16 | |
| 3 | I-680 | 48 | 53 | 11 | |
| 4 | State Highway 24 | 24 | 29 | 7 | no page |
| 5 | I-580 | 14 | 15 | 8 | |
| 6 | State Highway 242 | 12 | 12 | 7 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Richmond 81, Antioch 75, Concord 68, Pittsburg 58, Walnut Creek 33, San Pablo 27, Brentwood 21, Lafayette 18. 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 Contra Costa County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, midnight to 4 am, with 47 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 6.3 percent, 47 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 26 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.8 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 17 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 18 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 17 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.4 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 21 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 39 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.3 percent, 32 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 39 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.2%
- Feb8.1%
- Mar8.1%
- Apr7.6%
- May7.4%
- Jun7.8%
- Jul9.7%
- Aug7.3%
- Sep7.0%
- Oct11.0%
- Nov10.0%
- 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 Contra Costa County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 31%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 31%, a pedestrian in 23%, a rollover in 4.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 235 | 31% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 231 | 31% |
| Pedestrian | 171 | 23% |
| Rollover | 36 | 4.8% |
| Cyclist | 31 | 4.1% |
| Other | 31 | 4.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 18 | 2.4% |
| 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 Contra Costa County compare with California
A drinking driver was recorded in 32% of fatal crashes in Contra Costa County from 2015 to 2024, above the California share of 28%; speeding in 35%, above the California share of 30%; a hit-and-run in 9.6%, below the California share of 11%; a driver recorded as distracted in 4.5%, about the California share; 42% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the California share of 38%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of California. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Contra Costa | California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 15% | 30% | below the California share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 27% | below the California share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 25% | 25% | about the same as the California share |
| A drinking driver | 32% | 28% | above the California share |
| Speeding | 35% | 30% | above the California share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.5% | 4.1% | about the same as the California share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 42% | 38% | above the California share |
| Hit-and-run | 9.6% | 11% | below the California share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 15% | below the California share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 24% | 26% | below the California 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 Contra Costa County
- How many people died in car accidents in Contra Costa County in 2024?
- 66 people died in 64 fatal crashes in Contra Costa County, California, in 2024, 32.7% fewer than in 2023. That is 5.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California.
- What is the deadliest road in Contra Costa County?
- State Highway 4 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Contra Costa County from 2015 to 2024: 106, with 116 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Contra Costa County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, midnight to 4 am, with 47 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Contra Costa County involved a drinking driver?
- 244 of 753 fatal crashes in Contra Costa County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 32%, against 28% across California.
Other counties in California with a page
- Los Angeles County
- San Bernardino County
- Riverside County
- San Diego County
- Orange County
- Sacramento County
- Kern County
- Fresno County
- Santa Clara County
- San Joaquin County
- Alameda County
- Stanislaus County
All fatal crashes in California, with every county ranked.
Where the Contra Costa County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Contra Costa County (county code 13). 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.