Fatal crashes in San Benito County, California
In 2024, 11 people died in 11 fatal crashes in San Benito County, 57.1% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 107 fatal crashes and 113 deaths.
15.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California in 2024; 17.7 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 69,159, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in California.
Deaths in San Benito County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | 11 |
| 2023 | 7 | 7 |
| 2022 | 18 | 22 |
| 2021 | 10 | 10 |
| 2020 | 12 | 12 |
| 2019 | 10 | 10 |
| 2018 | 12 | 12 |
| 2017 | 8 | 9 |
| 2016 | 11 | 11 |
| 2015 | 8 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in San Benito County
State Highway 25 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in San Benito County from 2015 to 2024: 26, with 26 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 55% of all fatal crashes in San Benito County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 2 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 25 | 26 | 26 | 9 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 156 | 21 | 25 | 11 | no page |
| 3 | US 101 | 12 | 12 | 6 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Hollister 13. 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 San Benito 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 | 6.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 7.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.5%
- Feb8.4%
- Mar5.6%
- Apr3.7%
- May5.6%
- Jun15.0%
- Jul11.2%
- Aug11.2%
- Sep11.2%
- Oct6.5%
- Nov7.5%
- Dec7.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in San Benito County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 41%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 29%, a rollover in 12%, a pedestrian in 8.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 44 | 41% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 31 | 29% |
| Rollover | 13 | 12% |
| Pedestrian | 9 | 8.4% |
| Other | 7 | 6.5% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 2.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 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 San Benito County compare with California
A drinking driver was recorded in 33% of fatal crashes in San Benito County from 2015 to 2024, above the California share of 28%; speeding in 23%, below the California share of 30%; a hit-and-run in 2.8%, below the California share of 11%; a driver recorded as distracted in 3.7%, about the California share; 35% 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.
| San Benito | California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 76% | 30% | above the California share |
| At or near an intersection | 23% | 27% | below the California share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 36% | 25% | above the California share |
| A drinking driver | 33% | 28% | above the California share |
| Speeding | 23% | 30% | below the California share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 3.7% | 4.1% | about the same as the California share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 35% | 38% | below the California share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.8% | 11% | below the California share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 15% | about the same as the California share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.0% | 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 San Benito County
- How many people died in car accidents in San Benito County in 2024?
- 11 people died in 11 fatal crashes in San Benito County, California, in 2024, 57.1% more than in 2023. That is 15.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California.
- What is the deadliest road in San Benito County?
- State Highway 25 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in San Benito County from 2015 to 2024: 26, with 26 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in San Benito County involved a drinking driver?
- 35 of 107 fatal crashes in San Benito County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 33%, 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 San Benito County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in San Benito County (county code 69). 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.