Fatal crashes in Clayton County, Georgia
In 2024, 47 people died in 47 fatal crashes in Clayton County, 27.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 432 fatal crashes and 459 deaths, the 5th most of any county in Georgia.
15.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.5 across Georgia in 2024; 15.8 against 14.8 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 297,703, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Georgia.
Deaths in Clayton County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 47 | 47 |
| 2023 | 30 | 37 |
| 2022 | 59 | 59 |
| 2021 | 58 | 65 |
| 2020 | 46 | 49 |
| 2019 | 48 | 51 |
| 2018 | 45 | 45 |
| 2017 | 29 | 32 |
| 2016 | 46 | 48 |
| 2015 | 24 | 26 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Clayton County
I-75 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Clayton County from 2015 to 2024: 50, with 60 deaths. The 12 roads listed held 61% of all fatal crashes in Clayton County from 2015 to 2024; 4 are interstates, 1 US route, 7 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-75 | 50 | 60 | 20 | |
| 2 | State Highway 3 | 34 | 34 | 6 | |
| 3 | I-285 | 33 | 35 | 15 | |
| 4 | US 19 | 29 | 30 | 3 | |
| 5 | State Highway 85 | 26 | 26 | 8 | |
| 6 | State Highway 138 | 24 | 27 | 7 | |
| 7 | State Highway 139 | 20 | 20 | 6 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 54 | 14 | 14 | 2 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 42 | 11 | 11 | 6 | |
| 10 | I-675 | 10 | 11 | 3 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 314 | 8 | 8 | 1 | no page |
| 12 | I-85 | 6 | 7 | 1 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Jonesboro 58, Forest Park 47, Riverdale 39, College Park 19, Morrow 16, Lake City 6, Ellenwood 5. 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 Clayton County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, 8 pm to midnight, with 26 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 10 pm to 11 pm; the worst month is December.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 5.6 percent, 24 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 6.1 percent, 26 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 3.3 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 17 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.3 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 19 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 5.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 24 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.4%
- Feb9.0%
- Mar10.4%
- Apr5.6%
- May6.9%
- Jun6.0%
- Jul10.4%
- Aug7.2%
- Sep9.0%
- Oct8.8%
- Nov7.6%
- Dec11.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Clayton County first hit
The first harmful event was a pedestrian in 40%; a collision with another vehicle in 32%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 18%, a rollover in 3.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrian | 172 | 40% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 140 | 32% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 77 | 18% |
| Other | 16 | 3.7% |
| Rollover | 13 | 3.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 8 | 1.9% |
| Cyclist | 6 | 1.4% |
| 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 Clayton County compare with Georgia
A drinking driver was recorded in 13% of fatal crashes in Clayton County from 2015 to 2024, below the Georgia share of 20%; speeding in 21%, above the Georgia share of 19%; a hit-and-run in 12%, above the Georgia share of 5.3%; a driver recorded as distracted in 3.9%, about the Georgia share; 48% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, about the Georgia share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Georgia. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Clayton | Georgia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 1.9% | 36% | below the Georgia share |
| At or near an intersection | 23% | 24% | below the Georgia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 53% | 37% | above the Georgia share |
| A drinking driver | 13% | 20% | below the Georgia share |
| Speeding | 21% | 19% | above the Georgia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 3.9% | 4.2% | about the same as the Georgia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 48% | 49% | about the same as the Georgia share |
| Hit-and-run | 12% | 5.3% | above the Georgia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 12% | 12% | about the same as the Georgia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 39% | 17% | above the Georgia 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 Clayton County
- How many people died in car accidents in Clayton County in 2024?
- 47 people died in 47 fatal crashes in Clayton County, Georgia, in 2024, 27.0% more than in 2023. That is 15.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.5 across Georgia.
- What is the deadliest road in Clayton County?
- I-75 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Clayton County from 2015 to 2024: 50, with 60 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Clayton County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, 8 pm to midnight, with 26 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Clayton County involved a drinking driver?
- 56 of 432 fatal crashes in Clayton County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 13%, against 20% across Georgia.
Other counties in Georgia with a page
- Fulton County
- DeKalb County
- Cobb County
- Gwinnett County
- Chatham County
- Bibb County
- Richmond County
- Henry County
- Hall County
- Bartow County
- Muscogee County
- Carroll County
All fatal crashes in Georgia, with every county ranked.
Where the Clayton County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Clayton County (county code 63). 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.