Fatal crashes in Macon County, Illinois
In 2024, 13 people died in 13 fatal crashes in Macon County, 35.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 128 fatal crashes and 136 deaths, the 16th most of any county in Illinois.
12.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.3 across Illinois in 2024; 13.1 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 100,737, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Illinois.
Deaths in Macon County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | 13 |
| 2023 | 20 | 20 |
| 2022 | 9 | 9 |
| 2021 | 9 | 11 |
| 2020 | 18 | 22 |
| 2019 | 11 | 11 |
| 2018 | 11 | 11 |
| 2017 | 12 | 12 |
| 2016 | 7 | 7 |
| 2015 | 18 | 20 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Macon County
State Highway 121 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Macon County from 2015 to 2024: 14, with 15 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 41% of all fatal crashes in Macon County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 3 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 | State Highway 121 | 14 | 15 | 6 | no page |
| 2 | US 36 | 13 | 14 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | US 51 | 9 | 9 | 3 | |
| 4 | State Highway 48 | 8 | 9 | 2 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 105 | 8 | 8 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Decatur 63. 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 Macon County
Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.0%
- Feb5.5%
- Mar5.5%
- Apr8.6%
- May8.6%
- Jun8.6%
- Jul10.9%
- Aug11.7%
- Sep8.6%
- Oct8.6%
- Nov8.6%
- Dec7.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Macon County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 49%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 23%, a pedestrian in 10%, a rollover in 8.6%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 63 | 49% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 30 | 23% |
| Pedestrian | 13 | 10% |
| Rollover | 11 | 8.6% |
| Other | 6 | 4.7% |
| Cyclist | 4 | 3.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 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 Macon County compare with Illinois
A drinking driver was recorded in 34% of fatal crashes in Macon County from 2015 to 2024, above the Illinois share of 27%; speeding in 29%, below the Illinois share of 37%; a hit-and-run in 4.7%, below the Illinois share of 8.4%; a driver recorded as distracted in 6.2%, below the Illinois share of 9.8%; 41% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Illinois share of 46%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Illinois. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Macon | Illinois | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 34% | 34% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| At or near an intersection | 38% | 30% | above the Illinois share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 30% | 25% | above the Illinois share |
| A drinking driver | 34% | 27% | above the Illinois share |
| Speeding | 29% | 37% | below the Illinois share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.2% | 9.8% | below the Illinois share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 41% | 46% | below the Illinois share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.7% | 8.4% | below the Illinois share |
| A motorcycle involved | 24% | 14% | above the Illinois share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 10% | 16% | below the Illinois 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 Macon County
- How many people died in car accidents in Macon County in 2024?
- 13 people died in 13 fatal crashes in Macon County, Illinois, in 2024, 35.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 12.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.3 across Illinois.
- What is the deadliest road in Macon County?
- State Highway 121 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Macon County from 2015 to 2024: 14, with 15 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Macon County involved a drinking driver?
- 44 of 128 fatal crashes in Macon County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 34%, against 27% across Illinois.
Other counties in Illinois with a page
- Cook County
- Will County
- Lake County
- DuPage County
- St. Clair County
- Madison County
- Kane County
- Winnebago County
- Sangamon County
- McHenry County
- LaSalle County
- Peoria County
All fatal crashes in Illinois, with every county ranked.
Where the Macon County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Macon County (county code 115). 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.