Fatal crashes in Douglas County, Colorado
In 2024, 19 people died in 19 fatal crashes in Douglas County, 13.6% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 192 fatal crashes and 207 deaths, the 10th most of any county in Colorado.
4.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado in 2024; 5.8 against 11.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 393,995, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Colorado.
Deaths in Douglas County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 | 19 |
| 2023 | 21 | 22 |
| 2022 | 24 | 31 |
| 2021 | 27 | 28 |
| 2020 | 21 | 22 |
| 2019 | 13 | 13 |
| 2018 | 15 | 16 |
| 2017 | 19 | 19 |
| 2016 | 21 | 24 |
| 2015 | 12 | 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 Douglas County
State Highway 83 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Douglas County from 2015 to 2024: 30, with 35 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 49% of all fatal crashes in Douglas County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 4 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 83 | 30 | 35 | 10 | |
| 2 | I-25 | 27 | 31 | 6 | |
| 3 | State Highway 67 | 13 | 13 | 2 | no page |
| 4 | US 85 | 13 | 13 | 5 | |
| 5 | State Highway 470 | 7 | 8 | 2 | |
| 6 | State Highway 86 | 5 | 5 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Parker 21, Castle Rock 17, Lone Tree 10. 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 Douglas County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, noon to 4 pm, with 15 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 2 pm to 3 pm; the worst month is July.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 7.8 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 7.3 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.7%
- Feb4.7%
- Mar6.8%
- Apr8.9%
- May8.3%
- Jun10.4%
- Jul12.5%
- Aug12.5%
- Sep11.5%
- Oct8.3%
- Nov5.2%
- Dec5.2%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Douglas County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 44%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 31%, a rollover in 9.9%, a pedestrian in 6.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 84 | 44% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 59 | 31% |
| Rollover | 19 | 9.9% |
| Pedestrian | 13 | 6.8% |
| Other | 10 | 5.2% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 2.6% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 1.0% |
| 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 Douglas County compare with Colorado
A drinking driver was recorded in 34% of fatal crashes in Douglas County from 2015 to 2024, about the Colorado share; speeding in 41%, above the Colorado share of 35%; a hit-and-run in 3.1%, below the Colorado share of 6.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 12%, above the Colorado share of 9.8%; 51% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Colorado share of 54%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Colorado. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Douglas | Colorado | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 44% | 39% | above the Colorado share |
| At or near an intersection | 26% | 32% | below the Colorado share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 19% | 21% | below the Colorado share |
| A drinking driver | 34% | 34% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Speeding | 41% | 35% | above the Colorado share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 12% | 9.8% | above the Colorado share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 51% | 54% | below the Colorado share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.1% | 6.1% | below the Colorado share |
| A motorcycle involved | 31% | 21% | above the Colorado share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 9.7% | 14% | below the Colorado 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 Douglas County
- How many people died in car accidents in Douglas County in 2024?
- 19 people died in 19 fatal crashes in Douglas County, Colorado, in 2024, 13.6% fewer than in 2023. That is 4.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado.
- What is the deadliest road in Douglas County?
- State Highway 83 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Douglas County from 2015 to 2024: 30, with 35 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Douglas County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, noon to 4 pm, with 15 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Douglas County involved a drinking driver?
- 66 of 192 fatal crashes in Douglas County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 34%, against 34% across Colorado.
Other counties in Colorado with a page
- El Paso County
- Adams County
- Denver County
- Weld County
- Arapahoe County
- Jefferson County
- Larimer County
- Pueblo County
- Boulder County
- Mesa County
- La Plata County
- Garfield County
All fatal crashes in Colorado, with every county ranked.
Where the Douglas County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Douglas County (county code 35). 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.