Fatal crashes in Sussex County, Delaware
In 2024, 35 people died in 33 fatal crashes in Sussex County, Delaware, 20.5% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 366 fatal crashes and 389 deaths, the 2nd most of 3 counties in Delaware.
12.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12 across Delaware in 2024; 16.2 against 13 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 271,134, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Delaware.
Deaths in Sussex County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 33 | 35 |
| 2023 | 40 | 44 |
| 2022 | 42 | 47 |
| 2021 | 29 | 29 |
| 2020 | 32 | 37 |
| 2019 | 47 | 49 |
| 2018 | 33 | 33 |
| 2017 | 37 | 39 |
| 2016 | 34 | 35 |
| 2015 | 39 | 41 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Sussex County
State Highway 1 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Sussex County from 2015 to 2024: 40, with 44 deaths. The 13 roads listed held 57% of all fatal crashes in Sussex County from 2015 to 2024; 3 US routes, 10 state highways. 63% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 37% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 1 | 40 | 44 | 12 | |
| 2 | US 113 | 38 | 39 | 12 | no page |
| 3 | US 13 | 31 | 33 | 12 | |
| 4 | State Highway 24 | 22 | 24 | 5 | no page |
| 5 | US 9 | 20 | 23 | 6 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 5 | 14 | 15 | 5 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 30 | 11 | 11 | 2 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 20 | 6 | 7 | 4 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 26 | 6 | 6 | 0 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 54 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 17 | 5 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 12 | State Highway 18 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
| 13 | State Highway 404 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Georgetown had 3.8% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 14 of 366.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Georgetown 14, Seaford 7, Milton 6. 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 Sussex County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 22 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 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 | 4.4 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 22 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 22 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.9%
- Feb7.4%
- Mar6.0%
- Apr5.7%
- May9.8%
- Jun8.7%
- Jul10.4%
- Aug8.5%
- Sep9.3%
- Oct9.8%
- Nov7.7%
- Dec8.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Sussex County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 46%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 28%, a pedestrian in 15%, a cyclist in 5.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 167 | 46% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 102 | 28% |
| Pedestrian | 56 | 15% |
| Cyclist | 20 | 5.5% |
| Other | 10 | 2.7% |
| Rollover | 9 | 2.5% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 0.5% |
| 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 Sussex County compare with Delaware
The largest difference from Delaware: from 2015 to 2024, 75% of fatal crashes in Sussex County were on rural roads, against 41% across Delaware. Also above the Delaware share: distracted drivers. Below it: motorcycles and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Delaware. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 366 crashes.
| Sussex | Delaware | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 75% | 41% | above the Delaware share |
| At or near an intersection | 32% | 32% | about the same as the Delaware share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 42% | 38% | about the same as the Delaware share |
| A drinking driver | 26% | 25% | about the same as the Delaware share |
| Speeding | 30% | 29% | about the same as the Delaware share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 11% | 6.6% | above the Delaware share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 49% | 47% | about the same as the Delaware share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.2% | 7.1% | about the same as the Delaware share |
| A motorcycle involved | 9.0% | 14% | below the Delaware share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 15% | 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 Sussex County, Delaware
- How many people died in car accidents in Sussex County in 2024?
- 35 people died in 33 fatal crashes in Sussex County, Delaware, in 2024, 20.5% fewer than in 2023. That is 12.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12 across Delaware. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Sussex County?
- State Highway 1 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Sussex County from 2015 to 2024: 40, with 44 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Sussex County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 22 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Sussex County involved a drinking driver?
- 95 of 366 fatal crashes in Sussex County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 26%, against 25% across Delaware.
Other counties in Delaware with a page
All fatal crashes in Delaware, with every county ranked.
Where the Sussex County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Sussex County (county code 5). 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/delaware/sussex-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”