Fatal crashes in Elkhart County, Indiana
In 2024, 32 people died in 29 fatal crashes in Elkhart County, 60.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 255 fatal crashes and 278 deaths, the 4th most of any county in Indiana.
15.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12 across Indiana in 2024; 13.5 against 13 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 207,436, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Indiana.
Deaths in Elkhart County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 29 | 32 |
| 2023 | 18 | 20 |
| 2022 | 39 | 46 |
| 2021 | 26 | 32 |
| 2020 | 29 | 30 |
| 2019 | 25 | 25 |
| 2018 | 18 | 18 |
| 2017 | 24 | 26 |
| 2016 | 16 | 16 |
| 2015 | 31 | 33 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Elkhart County
US 33 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Elkhart County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 19 deaths. The 9 roads listed held 42% of all fatal crashes in Elkhart County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 3 US routes, 5 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 33 | 17 | 19 | 5 | no page |
| 2 | US 20 | 17 | 17 | 5 | |
| 3 | State Highway 15 | 15 | 17 | 5 | no page |
| 4 | US 6 | 15 | 15 | 1 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 19 | 14 | 17 | 6 | |
| 6 | State Highway 120 | 9 | 11 | 7 | no page |
| 7 | I-80 | 7 | 9 | 2 | |
| 8 | State Highway 13 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 119 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Elkhart 65, Goshen 30, Middlebury 6, Bristol 6. 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 Elkhart County
The heaviest slot is Friday, noon to 4 pm, with 13 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 2 pm to 3 pm; the worst month is June.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.3%
- Feb3.5%
- Mar5.1%
- Apr7.8%
- May11.4%
- Jun12.2%
- Jul9.0%
- Aug11.4%
- Sep8.2%
- Oct8.6%
- Nov9.8%
- Dec6.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Elkhart 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 28%, a pedestrian in 9.4%, a rollover in 5.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 125 | 49% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 72 | 28% |
| Pedestrian | 24 | 9.4% |
| Rollover | 14 | 5.5% |
| Cyclist | 10 | 3.9% |
| Other | 8 | 3.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 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 Elkhart County compare with Indiana
A drinking driver was recorded in 22% of fatal crashes in Elkhart County from 2015 to 2024, above the Indiana share of 20%; speeding in 33%, above the Indiana share of 26%; a hit-and-run in 3.5%, below the Indiana share of 5.3%; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.1%, about the Indiana share; 36% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Indiana share of 46%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Indiana. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Elkhart | Indiana | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 60% | 58% | above the Indiana share |
| At or near an intersection | 32% | 27% | above the Indiana share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 31% | 31% | about the same as the Indiana share |
| A drinking driver | 22% | 20% | above the Indiana share |
| Speeding | 33% | 26% | above the Indiana share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.1% | 5.7% | about the same as the Indiana share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 36% | 46% | below the Indiana share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.5% | 5.3% | below the Indiana share |
| A motorcycle involved | 26% | 16% | above the Indiana share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 9.7% | 11% | below the Indiana 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 Elkhart County
- How many people died in car accidents in Elkhart County in 2024?
- 32 people died in 29 fatal crashes in Elkhart County, Indiana, in 2024, 60.0% more than in 2023. That is 15.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12 across Indiana.
- What is the deadliest road in Elkhart County?
- US 33 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Elkhart County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 19 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Elkhart County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, noon to 4 pm, with 13 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Elkhart County involved a drinking driver?
- 56 of 255 fatal crashes in Elkhart County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 22%, against 20% across Indiana.
Other counties in Indiana with a page
- Marion County
- Lake County
- Allen County
- St. Joseph County
- Porter County
- Vanderburgh County
- LaPorte County
- Hamilton County
- Madison County
- Tippecanoe County
- Delaware County
- Bartholomew County
All fatal crashes in Indiana, with every county ranked.
Where the Elkhart County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Elkhart County (county code 39). 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.