Fatal crashes in Winnebago County, Illinois
In 2024, 27 people died in 26 fatal crashes in Winnebago County, Illinois, 10.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 289 fatal crashes and 308 deaths, the 8th most of 102 counties in Illinois.
9.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.3 across Illinois in 2024; 10.8 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 283,790, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Illinois.
Deaths in Winnebago County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 26 | 27 |
| 2023 | 30 | 30 |
| 2022 | 27 | 28 |
| 2021 | 47 | 49 |
| 2020 | 22 | 25 |
| 2019 | 27 | 29 |
| 2018 | 26 | 29 |
| 2017 | 22 | 23 |
| 2016 | 35 | 39 |
| 2015 | 27 | 29 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Winnebago County
US 20 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Winnebago County from 2015 to 2024: 31, with 34 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 34% of all fatal crashes in Winnebago County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 1 US route, 4 state highways. 34% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 66% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 20 | 31 | 34 | 12 | |
| 2 | State Highway 251 | 24 | 25 | 4 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 2 | 17 | 18 | 5 | no page |
| 4 | I-39 | 8 | 9 | 1 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 70 | 6 | 7 | 1 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 75 | 6 | 7 | 4 | no page |
| 7 | I-90 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
Rockford had 48% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 139 of 289.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Rockford 139, Loves Park 21, Machesney Park 11, South Beloit 8, Roscoe 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 Winnebago County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Friday), with 14 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 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 | 4.2 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.6%
- Feb6.6%
- Mar5.5%
- Apr9.0%
- May7.3%
- Jun7.3%
- Jul13.1%
- Aug8.0%
- Sep9.3%
- Oct10.0%
- Nov8.7%
- Dec7.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Winnebago County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 42%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 25%, a pedestrian in 20%, a rollover in 4.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 122 | 42% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 71 | 25% |
| Pedestrian | 58 | 20% |
| Rollover | 14 | 4.8% |
| Other | 13 | 4.5% |
| Cyclist | 8 | 2.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 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 Winnebago County compare with Illinois
The largest difference from Illinois: from 2015 to 2024, 16% of fatal crashes in Winnebago County were on rural roads, against 34% across Illinois. Also above the Illinois share: intersections, drinking drivers and pedestrians. Below it: distracted drivers and unbelted occupants. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Illinois. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 289 crashes.
| Winnebago | Illinois | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 16% | 34% | below the Illinois share |
| At or near an intersection | 36% | 30% | above the Illinois share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 26% | 25% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| A drinking driver | 35% | 27% | above the Illinois share |
| Speeding | 35% | 37% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.2% | 9.8% | below the Illinois share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 39% | 46% | below the Illinois share |
| Hit-and-run | 8.7% | 8.4% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 14% | about the same as the Illinois share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 20% | 16% | above 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 Winnebago County, Illinois
- How many people died in car accidents in Winnebago County in 2024?
- 27 people died in 26 fatal crashes in Winnebago County, Illinois, in 2024, 10.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 9.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.3 across Illinois. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Winnebago County?
- US 20 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Winnebago County from 2015 to 2024: 31, with 34 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Winnebago County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Friday), with 14 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Winnebago County involved a drinking driver?
- 101 of 289 fatal crashes in Winnebago County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 35%, 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
- Sangamon County
- McHenry County
- LaSalle County
- Peoria County
- Kankakee County
All fatal crashes in Illinois, with every county ranked.
Where the Winnebago County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Winnebago County (county code 201). 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/illinois/winnebago-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”