I-8 in California: fatal crashes
From 2015 to 2024, 192 fatal crashes on I-8 in California killed 209 people, the 13th most of any numbered road in California. In 2024 there were 16 fatal crashes and 16 deaths on the road.
An interstate running through 2 counties of California. All fatal crashes in California.
Deaths on I-8 in California by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 12 | 13 |
| 2016 | 20 | 20 |
| 2017 | 14 | 15 |
| 2018 | 25 | 30 |
| 2019 | 16 | 17 |
| 2020 | 24 | 28 |
| 2021 | 31 | 32 |
| 2022 | 20 | 22 |
| 2023 | 14 | 16 |
| 2024 | 16 | 16 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Where on I-8 in California: the counties with the most fatal crashes
San Diego County had the most fatal crashes on I-8 from 2015 to 2024: 125, with 132 deaths. Counties are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| County | 2024 | 2015 to 2024 | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego | 13 | 125 | 132 |
| 2 | Imperial | 3 | 67 | 77 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen on I-8 in California
The heaviest slot is Sunday, midnight to 4 am, with 12 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 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 | 6.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.2%
- Feb9.4%
- Mar6.2%
- Apr8.9%
- May8.3%
- Jun7.3%
- Jul9.9%
- Aug7.8%
- Sep8.9%
- Oct10.4%
- Nov8.9%
- Dec7.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes on I-8 in California first hit
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 47 | 25% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 46 | 24% |
| Pedestrian | 44 | 23% |
| Rollover | 32 | 17% |
| Other | 19 | 9.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 4 | 2.1% |
| Cyclist | 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 on I-8 in California compare with the state
Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of California. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| I-8 | California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural stretches | 43% | 30% | above the California share |
| At or near an intersection | 0.0% | 27% | below the California share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 43% | 25% | above the California share |
| A drinking driver | 27% | 28% | about the same as the California share |
| Speeding | 27% | 30% | below the California share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 46% | 38% | above the California share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.7% | 11% | below the California share |
| A motorcycle involved | 12% | 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
Other roads in California with a page
All fatal crashes in California, with every road ranked.
Where the I-8 numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash whose road NHTSA filed as I-8 in California (filed under 5 spellings, such as "I-8", "I-8 KUMEYAAY FWY", "I-8 KUMEYAAY HWY", "I-8 KUMYAYY FWY"). Ramps, frontage and service roads are left out. A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The full method.