Fatal crashes in Nevada County, California
In 2024, 8 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Nevada County, California, down from 14 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 137 fatal crashes and 148 deaths, the 40th most of 58 counties in California.
Deaths in Nevada County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 8 |
| 2023 | 13 | 14 |
| 2022 | 17 | 18 |
| 2021 | 21 | 25 |
| 2020 | 14 | 14 |
| 2019 | 10 | 10 |
| 2018 | 16 | 18 |
| 2017 | 14 | 16 |
| 2016 | 11 | 12 |
| 2015 | 13 | 13 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Nevada County
State Highway 49 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Nevada County from 2015 to 2024: 34, with 36 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 61% of all fatal crashes in Nevada County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 state highways. 65% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 35% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 49 | 34 | 36 | 16 | |
| 2 | State Highway 20 | 30 | 34 | 7 | |
| 3 | I-80 | 20 | 24 | 1 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Grass Valley 8, Truckee 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 Nevada County
128 fatal crashes in Nevada County, California from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 2 pm to 3 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 | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.6%
- Feb6.6%
- Mar8.0%
- Apr8.8%
- May5.8%
- Jun8.8%
- Jul9.5%
- Aug9.5%
- Sep8.0%
- Oct10.9%
- Nov9.5%
- Dec8.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Nevada County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 45%; a collision with another vehicle in 24%, a rollover in 12%, a pedestrian in 8.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 62 | 45% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 33 | 24% |
| Rollover | 16 | 12% |
| Other | 14 | 10% |
| Pedestrian | 11 | 8.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.7% |
| 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 in Nevada County compare with California
The largest difference from California: from 2015 to 2024, 70% of fatal crashes in Nevada County were on rural roads, against 30% across California. Also above the California share: unlit roads at night. Below it: intersections, hit-and-runs and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of California. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 137 crashes.
| Nevada | California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 70% | 30% | above the California share |
| At or near an intersection | 7.3% | 27% | below the California share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 38% | 25% | above the California share |
| A drinking driver | 34% | 28% | about the same as the California share |
| Speeding | 31% | 30% | about the same as the California share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.4% | 4.1% | about the same as the California share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 44% | 38% | about the same as the California share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.9% | 11% | below the California share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 15% | about the same as the California share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 7.4% | 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 Nevada County, California
- How many people died in car accidents in Nevada County in 2024?
- 8 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Nevada County, California, in 2024, down from 14 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Nevada County?
- State Highway 49 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Nevada County from 2015 to 2024: 34, with 36 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Nevada County involved a drinking driver?
- 47 of 137 fatal crashes in Nevada County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 34%, 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 Nevada County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Nevada County (county code 57). 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/california/nevada-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”