Fatal crashes in Mesa County, Colorado
In 2024, 17 people died in 15 fatal crashes in Mesa County, 19.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 174 fatal crashes and 181 deaths, the 11th most of any county in Colorado.
10.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado in 2024; 11.7 against 11.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 161,260, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Colorado.
Deaths in Mesa County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 | 17 |
| 2023 | 21 | 21 |
| 2022 | 28 | 29 |
| 2021 | 15 | 15 |
| 2020 | 13 | 13 |
| 2019 | 13 | 13 |
| 2018 | 20 | 20 |
| 2017 | 15 | 16 |
| 2016 | 15 | 17 |
| 2015 | 19 | 20 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Mesa County
I-70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Mesa County from 2015 to 2024: 29, with 31 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 51% of all fatal crashes in Mesa County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 3 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 | I-70 | 29 | 31 | 13 | |
| 2 | US 6 | 20 | 22 | 11 | |
| 3 | State Highway 70 | 15 | 15 | 3 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 141 | 10 | 10 | 5 | no page |
| 5 | US 50 | 9 | 9 | 3 | |
| 6 | State Highway 65 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Grand Junction 62. 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 Mesa County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, noon to 4 pm, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 5 pm to 6 pm; the worst month is June.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.6%
- Feb4.6%
- Mar3.4%
- Apr5.7%
- May12.1%
- Jun13.8%
- Jul13.8%
- Aug7.5%
- Sep10.3%
- Oct10.3%
- Nov6.9%
- Dec6.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Mesa County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 33%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 26%, a pedestrian in 15%, a rollover in 15%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 58 | 33% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 46 | 26% |
| Pedestrian | 26 | 15% |
| Rollover | 26 | 15% |
| Other | 12 | 6.9% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 2.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.6% |
| 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 Mesa County compare with Colorado
A drinking driver was recorded in 33% of fatal crashes in Mesa County from 2015 to 2024, about the Colorado share; speeding in 35%, about the Colorado share; a hit-and-run in 4.0%, below the Colorado share of 6.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 9.2%, about the Colorado share; 56% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above 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.
| Mesa | Colorado | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 32% | 39% | below the Colorado share |
| At or near an intersection | 31% | 32% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 23% | 21% | above the Colorado share |
| A drinking driver | 33% | 34% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Speeding | 35% | 35% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 9.2% | 9.8% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 56% | 54% | above the Colorado share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.0% | 6.1% | below the Colorado share |
| A motorcycle involved | 27% | 21% | above the Colorado share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 15% | 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 Mesa County
- How many people died in car accidents in Mesa County in 2024?
- 17 people died in 15 fatal crashes in Mesa County, Colorado, in 2024, 19.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 10.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.6 across Colorado.
- What is the deadliest road in Mesa County?
- I-70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Mesa County from 2015 to 2024: 29, with 31 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Mesa County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, noon to 4 pm, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Mesa County involved a drinking driver?
- 58 of 174 fatal crashes in Mesa County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 33%, 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
- La Plata County
- Garfield County
All fatal crashes in Colorado, with every county ranked.
Where the Mesa County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Mesa County (county code 77). 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.