Fatal crashes in DeKalb County, Georgia
In 2024, 106 people died in 98 fatal crashes in DeKalb County, 29.8% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 1,007 fatal crashes and 1,064 deaths, the 2nd most of any county in Georgia.
13.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.5 across Georgia in 2024; 14 against 14.8 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 770,307, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Georgia.
Deaths in DeKalb County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 98 | 106 |
| 2023 | 139 | 151 |
| 2022 | 119 | 126 |
| 2021 | 138 | 145 |
| 2020 | 91 | 91 |
| 2019 | 77 | 79 |
| 2018 | 103 | 108 |
| 2017 | 90 | 95 |
| 2016 | 74 | 80 |
| 2015 | 78 | 83 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in DeKalb County
I-285 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in DeKalb County from 2015 to 2024: 107, with 118 deaths. The 15 roads listed held 44% of all fatal crashes in DeKalb County from 2015 to 2024; 3 are interstates, 3 US routes, 9 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-285 | 107 | 118 | 43 | |
| 2 | I-20 | 80 | 88 | 30 | |
| 3 | I-85 | 40 | 42 | 13 | |
| 4 | State Highway 155 | 38 | 38 | 12 | |
| 5 | State Highway 10 | 32 | 32 | 14 | |
| 6 | State Highway 12 | 26 | 27 | 7 | no page |
| 7 | US 278 | 23 | 24 | 13 | |
| 8 | US 23 | 19 | 20 | 9 | |
| 9 | US 78 | 15 | 16 | 6 | |
| 10 | State Highway 42 | 14 | 15 | 2 | |
| 11 | State Highway 154 | 12 | 13 | 3 | no page |
| 12 | State Highway 120 | 12 | 12 | 3 | no page |
| 13 | State Highway 236 | 11 | 12 | 2 | no page |
| 14 | State Highway 13 | 11 | 11 | 3 | no page |
| 15 | State Highway 124 | 8 | 10 | 3 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Decatur 102, Tucker 56, Lithonia 54, Atlanta 36, Stone Mountain 26, Doraville 25, Chamblee 21, Dunwoody 16. 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 DeKalb County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, midnight to 4 am, with 64 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 | 6.4 percent, 64 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 25 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 46 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.7 percent, 27 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 31 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.4 percent, 24 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 24 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 31 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.3 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 35 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.4 percent, 24 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 31 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 28 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 40 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.6 percent, 26 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 24 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 26 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 47 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.4 percent, 44 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 24 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 30 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 47 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.0%
- Feb9.2%
- Mar8.1%
- Apr6.3%
- May7.0%
- Jun7.5%
- Jul7.4%
- Aug9.9%
- Sep7.7%
- Oct8.5%
- Nov8.8%
- Dec10.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in DeKalb County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 40%; a pedestrian in 34%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 20%, a rollover in 1.7%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 402 | 40% |
| Pedestrian | 342 | 34% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 201 | 20% |
| Other | 27 | 2.7% |
| Rollover | 17 | 1.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 11 | 1.1% |
| Cyclist | 7 | 0.7% |
| 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 DeKalb County compare with Georgia
A drinking driver was recorded in 20% of fatal crashes in DeKalb County from 2015 to 2024, about the Georgia share; speeding in 17%, below the Georgia share of 19%; a hit-and-run in 13%, above the Georgia share of 5.3%; a driver recorded as distracted in 3.8%, about the Georgia share; 45% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Georgia share of 49%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Georgia. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| DeKalb | Georgia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 1.4% | 36% | below the Georgia share |
| At or near an intersection | 26% | 24% | above the Georgia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 38% | 37% | above the Georgia share |
| A drinking driver | 20% | 20% | about the same as the Georgia share |
| Speeding | 17% | 19% | below the Georgia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 3.8% | 4.2% | about the same as the Georgia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 45% | 49% | below the Georgia share |
| Hit-and-run | 13% | 5.3% | above the Georgia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 12% | 12% | about the same as the Georgia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 34% | 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 DeKalb County
- How many people died in car accidents in DeKalb County in 2024?
- 106 people died in 98 fatal crashes in DeKalb County, Georgia, in 2024, 29.8% fewer than in 2023. That is 13.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.5 across Georgia.
- What is the deadliest road in DeKalb County?
- I-285 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in DeKalb County from 2015 to 2024: 107, with 118 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in DeKalb County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, midnight to 4 am, with 64 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in DeKalb County involved a drinking driver?
- 205 of 1,007 fatal crashes in DeKalb County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 20%, against 20% across Georgia.
Other counties in Georgia with a page
- Fulton County
- Cobb County
- Gwinnett County
- Clayton 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 DeKalb County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in DeKalb 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. The full method.