Fatal crashes in La Plata County, Colorado
In 2024, 11 people died in 11 fatal crashes in La Plata County, Colorado, down from 12 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 88 fatal crashes and 97 deaths, the 12th most of 64 counties in Colorado.
19.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado in 2024; 17.3 against 11.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 56,823, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Colorado.
Deaths in La Plata County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | 11 |
| 2023 | 10 | 12 |
| 2022 | 12 | 13 |
| 2021 | 11 | 12 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 |
| 2019 | 6 | 8 |
| 2018 | 8 | 8 |
| 2017 | 9 | 11 |
| 2016 | 9 | 10 |
| 2015 | 7 | 7 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in La Plata County
US 160 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in La Plata County from 2015 to 2024: 36, with 42 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 70% of all fatal crashes in La Plata County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 1 state highway. 76% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 24% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 160 | 36 | 42 | 10 | |
| 2 | US 550 | 20 | 22 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 140 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
Durango had 15% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 13 of 88.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Durango 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 La Plata County
88 fatal crashes in La Plata County, Colorado 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 8 am to 9 am; the worst month is September.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 9.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.7%
- Feb4.5%
- Mar8.0%
- Apr9.1%
- May5.7%
- Jun10.2%
- Jul9.1%
- Aug13.6%
- Sep14.8%
- Oct11.4%
- Nov4.5%
- Dec3.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in La Plata County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 40%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 30%, a rollover in 18%, a pedestrian in 9.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 35 | 40% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 26 | 30% |
| Rollover | 16 | 18% |
| Pedestrian | 8 | 9.1% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 2.3% |
| Other | 1 | 1.1% |
| 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 La Plata County compare with Colorado
The largest difference from Colorado: from 2015 to 2024, 80% of fatal crashes in La Plata County were on rural roads, against 39% across Colorado. Also above the Colorado share: unlit roads at night. Below it: intersections. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Colorado. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 88 crashes.
| La Plata | Colorado | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 80% | 39% | above the Colorado share |
| At or near an intersection | 15% | 32% | below the Colorado share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 33% | 21% | above the Colorado share |
| A drinking driver | 43% | 34% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Speeding | 38% | 35% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 13% | 9.8% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 48% | 54% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.3% | 6.1% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| A motorcycle involved | 16% | 21% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 11% | 14% | about the same as 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 La Plata County, Colorado
- How many people died in car accidents in La Plata County in 2024?
- 11 people died in 11 fatal crashes in La Plata County, Colorado, in 2024, down from 12 in 2023. That is 19.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in La Plata County?
- US 160 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in La Plata County from 2015 to 2024: 36, with 42 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in La Plata County involved a drinking driver?
- 38 of 88 fatal crashes in La Plata County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 43%, 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
- Douglas County
- Mesa County
- Garfield County
All fatal crashes in Colorado, with every county ranked.
Where the La Plata County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in La Plata County (county code 67). 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/colorado/la-plata-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”