Fatal crashes in Lee County, Florida
In 2024, 122 people died in 113 fatal crashes in Lee County, 1.7% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 1,031 fatal crashes and 1,105 deaths, the 10th most of any county in Florida.
14.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.4 across Florida in 2024; 14.2 against 15.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 860,959, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Florida.
Deaths in Lee County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 113 | 122 |
| 2023 | 109 | 120 |
| 2022 | 128 | 135 |
| 2021 | 109 | 116 |
| 2020 | 100 | 107 |
| 2019 | 88 | 98 |
| 2018 | 89 | 94 |
| 2017 | 106 | 113 |
| 2016 | 102 | 105 |
| 2015 | 87 | 95 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Lee County
US 41 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lee County from 2015 to 2024: 150, with 167 deaths. The 10 roads listed held 43% of all fatal crashes in Lee County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 8 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 41 | 150 | 167 | 37 | |
| 2 | State Highway 82 | 62 | 71 | 25 | |
| 3 | I-75 | 62 | 66 | 23 | |
| 4 | State Highway 78 | 51 | 55 | 16 | |
| 5 | State Highway 80 | 47 | 49 | 17 | |
| 6 | State Highway 739 | 20 | 20 | 9 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 865 | 16 | 18 | 7 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 884 | 16 | 16 | 4 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 867 | 14 | 16 | 4 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 31 | 7 | 8 | 0 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Cape Coral 119, Fort Myers 104, Ft Myers 65, Bonita Springs 35, Lehigh Acres 15, North Fort Myers 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 Lee County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 60 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 pm; the worst month is March.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.7 percent, 38 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 31 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 45 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.4 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 34 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 29 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.2 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 25 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 33 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 27 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 29 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 28 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 27 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 27 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 34 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 38 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.9 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 36 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 45 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.6 percent, 37 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 31 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 60 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.3%
- Feb8.1%
- Mar10.5%
- Apr9.1%
- May8.2%
- Jun8.0%
- Jul6.3%
- Aug8.1%
- Sep7.6%
- Oct7.5%
- Nov9.0%
- Dec9.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Lee County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 46%; a pedestrian in 21%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 18%, a cyclist in 7.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 478 | 46% |
| Pedestrian | 211 | 21% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 185 | 18% |
| Cyclist | 72 | 7.0% |
| Rollover | 42 | 4.1% |
| Other | 33 | 3.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 10 | 1.0% |
| 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 Lee County compare with Florida
A drinking driver was recorded in 23% of fatal crashes in Lee County from 2015 to 2024, above the Florida share of 21%; speeding in 15%, above the Florida share of 9.8%; a hit-and-run in 8.7%, above the Florida share of 7.6%; a driver recorded as distracted in 10%, above the Florida share of 7.9%; 39% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Florida share of 45%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Florida. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Lee | Florida | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 13% | 24% | below the Florida share |
| At or near an intersection | 41% | 35% | above the Florida share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 26% | 24% | above the Florida share |
| A drinking driver | 23% | 21% | above the Florida share |
| Speeding | 15% | 9.8% | above the Florida share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 10% | 7.9% | above the Florida share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 39% | 45% | below the Florida share |
| Hit-and-run | 8.7% | 7.6% | above the Florida share |
| A motorcycle involved | 23% | 20% | above the Florida share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 20% | 22% | below the Florida 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 Lee County
- How many people died in car accidents in Lee County in 2024?
- 122 people died in 113 fatal crashes in Lee County, Florida, in 2024, 1.7% more than in 2023. That is 14.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.4 across Florida.
- What is the deadliest road in Lee County?
- US 41 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lee County from 2015 to 2024: 150, with 167 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Lee County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 60 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Lee County involved a drinking driver?
- 233 of 1,031 fatal crashes in Lee County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 23%, against 21% across Florida.
Other counties in Florida with a page
- Miami-Dade County
- Broward County
- Hillsborough County
- Palm Beach County
- Orange County
- Duval County
- Polk County
- Pinellas County
- Volusia County
- Pasco County
- Brevard County
- Marion County
All fatal crashes in Florida, with every county ranked.
Where the Lee County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Lee County (county code 71). 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.