Fatal crashes in Otero County, Colorado
In 2024, 4 people died in 4 fatal crashes in Otero County, Colorado, up from none reported in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 30 fatal crashes and 31 deaths, the 35th most of 64 counties in Colorado.
Deaths in Otero County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 4 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 | 2 |
| 2018 | 5 | 5 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3 | 3 |
| 2015 | 7 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Numbered roads with fatal crashes in Otero County
The 1 road listed held 20% of all fatal crashes in Otero County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route. 57% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 43% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 50 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
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 Otero County
30 fatal crashes in Otero 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 April.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan10.0%
- Feb3.3%
- Mar10.0%
- Apr23.3%
- May3.3%
- Jun6.7%
- Jul10.0%
- Aug3.3%
- Sep16.7%
- Oct6.7%
- Nov3.3%
- Dec3.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Otero County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 47%; a rollover in 27%, a collision with another vehicle in 17%, a pedestrian in 3.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 14 | 47% |
| Rollover | 8 | 27% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 5 | 17% |
| Other | 2 | 6.7% |
| Pedestrian | 1 | 3.3% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Otero County compare with Colorado
The largest difference from Colorado: from 2015 to 2024, 87% of fatal crashes in Otero County were on rural roads, against 39% across Colorado. Also above the Colorado share: unbelted occupants. 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 30 crashes.
| Otero | Colorado | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 87% | 39% | above the Colorado share |
| At or near an intersection | 10% | 32% | below the Colorado share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 20% | 21% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| A drinking driver | 23% | 34% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Speeding | 33% | 35% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 20% | 9.8% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 77% | 54% | above the Colorado share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 6.1% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| A motorcycle involved | 6.7% | 21% | about the same as the Colorado share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 3.2% | 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 Otero County, Colorado
- How many people died in car accidents in Otero County in 2024?
- 4 people died in 4 fatal crashes in Otero County, Colorado, in 2024, up from none reported in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- How many fatal crashes in Otero County involved a drinking driver?
- 7 of 30 fatal crashes in Otero County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 23%, 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
- La Plata County
All fatal crashes in Colorado, with every county ranked.
Where the Otero County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Otero County (county code 89). 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/otero-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”