Fatal crashes in Kent County, Delaware
In 2024, 30 people died in 30 fatal crashes in Kent County, 6.3% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 263 fatal crashes and 275 deaths, the 3rd most of any county in Delaware.
15.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12 across Delaware in 2024; 15.1 against 13 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 192,690, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Delaware.
Deaths in Kent County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 30 | 30 |
| 2023 | 31 | 32 |
| 2022 | 29 | 31 |
| 2021 | 36 | 37 |
| 2020 | 16 | 17 |
| 2019 | 21 | 25 |
| 2018 | 24 | 24 |
| 2017 | 19 | 21 |
| 2016 | 30 | 31 |
| 2015 | 27 | 27 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Kent County
US 13 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Kent County from 2015 to 2024: 63, with 68 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 54% of all fatal crashes in Kent County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 6 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 | US 13 | 63 | 68 | 24 | |
| 2 | State Highway 1 | 31 | 31 | 9 | |
| 3 | State Highway 8 | 13 | 13 | 3 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 10 | 11 | 11 | 4 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 15 | 10 | 10 | 0 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 14 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 300 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Dover 36, Smyrna 8, Milford 7. 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 Kent County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 15 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 5 pm to 6 pm; 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 | 3.8 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.7%
- Feb4.6%
- Mar6.5%
- Apr8.4%
- May7.2%
- Jun11.0%
- Jul8.7%
- Aug9.5%
- Sep12.5%
- Oct10.6%
- Nov7.2%
- 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 Kent County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 38%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 32%, a pedestrian in 18%, a cyclist in 4.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 99 | 38% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 85 | 32% |
| Pedestrian | 46 | 18% |
| Cyclist | 13 | 4.9% |
| Rollover | 9 | 3.4% |
| Other | 9 | 3.4% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 0.8% |
| 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 Kent County compare with Delaware
A drinking driver was recorded in 25% of fatal crashes in Kent County from 2015 to 2024, about the Delaware share; speeding in 29%, about the Delaware share; a hit-and-run in 7.6%, about the Delaware share; a driver recorded as distracted in 6.8%, about the Delaware share; 44% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Delaware share of 47%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Delaware. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Kent | Delaware | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 50% | 41% | above the Delaware share |
| At or near an intersection | 27% | 32% | below the Delaware share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 39% | 38% | about the same as the Delaware share |
| A drinking driver | 25% | 25% | about the same as the Delaware share |
| Speeding | 29% | 29% | about the same as the Delaware share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.8% | 6.6% | about the same as the Delaware share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 44% | 47% | below the Delaware share |
| Hit-and-run | 7.6% | 7.1% | about the same as the Delaware share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 14% | above the Delaware share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 18% | 23% | below the Delaware 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 Kent County
- How many people died in car accidents in Kent County in 2024?
- 30 people died in 30 fatal crashes in Kent County, Delaware, in 2024, 6.3% fewer than in 2023. That is 15.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12 across Delaware.
- What is the deadliest road in Kent County?
- US 13 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Kent County from 2015 to 2024: 63, with 68 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Kent County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 15 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Kent County involved a drinking driver?
- 66 of 263 fatal crashes in Kent County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 25%, against 25% across Delaware.
Other counties in Delaware with a page
All fatal crashes in Delaware, with every county ranked.
Where the Kent County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Kent County (county code 1). 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.