Fatal crashes in Santa Cruz County, California
In 2024, 16 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Santa Cruz County, 36.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 201 fatal crashes and 214 deaths.
6.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California in 2024; 7.9 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 262,406, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in California.
Deaths in Santa Cruz County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 | 16 |
| 2023 | 24 | 25 |
| 2022 | 25 | 27 |
| 2021 | 26 | 28 |
| 2020 | 17 | 18 |
| 2019 | 20 | 20 |
| 2018 | 22 | 22 |
| 2017 | 16 | 19 |
| 2016 | 20 | 20 |
| 2015 | 15 | 19 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Santa Cruz County
State Highway 1 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Santa Cruz County from 2015 to 2024: 38, with 41 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 41% of all fatal crashes in Santa Cruz County from 2015 to 2024; 5 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 1 | 38 | 41 | 11 | |
| 2 | State Highway 129 | 13 | 14 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 9 | 13 | 13 | 4 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 152 | 10 | 11 | 3 | |
| 5 | State Highway 17 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Watsonville 28, Santa Cruz 25. 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 Santa Cruz County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, 8 pm to midnight, with 13 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is March.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 6.6 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.6 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.0%
- Feb9.5%
- Mar11.9%
- Apr5.5%
- May7.0%
- Jun7.5%
- Jul7.5%
- Aug6.5%
- Sep8.5%
- Oct11.4%
- Nov11.9%
- 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 Santa Cruz County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 33%; a pedestrian in 29%, a collision with another vehicle in 24%, a rollover in 5.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 66 | 33% |
| Pedestrian | 59 | 29% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 48 | 24% |
| Rollover | 10 | 5.0% |
| Other | 9 | 4.5% |
| Cyclist | 8 | 4.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.5% |
| 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 Santa Cruz County compare with California
A drinking driver was recorded in 33% of fatal crashes in Santa Cruz County from 2015 to 2024, above the California share of 28%; speeding in 27%, below the California share of 30%; a hit-and-run in 9.0%, below the California share of 11%; a driver recorded as distracted in 7.0%, above the California share of 4.1%; 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.
| Santa Cruz | California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 27% | 30% | below the California share |
| At or near an intersection | 22% | 27% | below the California share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 28% | 25% | above the California share |
| A drinking driver | 33% | 28% | above the California share |
| Speeding | 27% | 30% | below the California share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.0% | 4.1% | above the California share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 42% | 38% | above the California share |
| Hit-and-run | 9.0% | 11% | below the California share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 15% | below the California share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 28% | 26% | above 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 Santa Cruz County
- How many people died in car accidents in Santa Cruz County in 2024?
- 16 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Santa Cruz County, California, in 2024, 36.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 6.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California.
- What is the deadliest road in Santa Cruz County?
- State Highway 1 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Santa Cruz County from 2015 to 2024: 38, with 41 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Santa Cruz County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, 8 pm to midnight, with 13 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Santa Cruz County involved a drinking driver?
- 67 of 201 fatal crashes in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Santa Cruz County (county code 87). 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.