Fatal crashes in Lake County, California
In 2024, 25 people died in 23 fatal crashes in Lake County, 31.6% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 163 fatal crashes and 175 deaths.
36.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California in 2024; 26.4 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 67,764, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in California.
Deaths in Lake County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23 | 25 |
| 2023 | 18 | 19 |
| 2022 | 18 | 18 |
| 2021 | 19 | 21 |
| 2020 | 16 | 18 |
| 2019 | 14 | 14 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 |
| 2017 | 15 | 17 |
| 2016 | 14 | 15 |
| 2015 | 16 | 17 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Lake County
State Highway 20 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lake County from 2015 to 2024: 55, with 59 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 68% of all fatal crashes in Lake County from 2015 to 2024; 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 20 | 55 | 59 | 18 | |
| 2 | State Highway 29 | 41 | 45 | 13 | |
| 3 | State Highway 53 | 15 | 15 | 7 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Clearlake 26. 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 Lake County
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 | 4.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.6%
- Feb8.6%
- Mar6.1%
- Apr8.6%
- May7.4%
- Jun10.4%
- Jul8.0%
- Aug6.7%
- Sep6.1%
- Oct8.0%
- Nov11.0%
- Dec10.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Lake County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 33%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 29%, a pedestrian in 21%, a rollover in 8.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 53 | 33% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 48 | 29% |
| Pedestrian | 34 | 21% |
| Rollover | 13 | 8.0% |
| Other | 7 | 4.3% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 3.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 1.8% |
| 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 Lake County compare with California
A drinking driver was recorded in 32% of fatal crashes in Lake County from 2015 to 2024, above the California share of 28%; speeding in 20%, below the California share of 30%; a hit-and-run in 4.9%, below the California share of 11%; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.5%, above the California share of 4.1%; 37% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below 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.
| Lake | California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 68% | 30% | above the California share |
| At or near an intersection | 12% | 27% | below the California share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 41% | 25% | above the California share |
| A drinking driver | 32% | 28% | above the California share |
| Speeding | 20% | 30% | below the California share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.5% | 4.1% | above the California share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 37% | 38% | below the California share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.9% | 11% | below the California share |
| A motorcycle involved | 12% | 15% | below the California share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 20% | 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 Lake County
- How many people died in car accidents in Lake County in 2024?
- 25 people died in 23 fatal crashes in Lake County, California, in 2024, 31.6% more than in 2023. That is 36.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California.
- What is the deadliest road in Lake County?
- State Highway 20 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lake County from 2015 to 2024: 55, with 59 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Lake County involved a drinking driver?
- 52 of 163 fatal crashes in Lake 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
- Contra Costa County
All fatal crashes in California, with every county ranked.
Where the Lake County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Lake County (county code 33). 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.