Fatal crashes in Lake County, Indiana
In 2024, 36 people died in 35 fatal crashes in Lake County, 34.5% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 500 fatal crashes and 539 deaths, the 2nd most of any county in Indiana.
7.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12 across Indiana in 2024; 10.9 against 13 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 502,955, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Indiana.
Deaths in Lake County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 35 | 36 |
| 2023 | 53 | 55 |
| 2022 | 53 | 61 |
| 2021 | 65 | 72 |
| 2020 | 52 | 58 |
| 2019 | 42 | 46 |
| 2018 | 47 | 51 |
| 2017 | 49 | 51 |
| 2016 | 48 | 50 |
| 2015 | 56 | 59 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Lake County
I-80 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lake County from 2015 to 2024: 55, with 59 deaths. The 15 roads listed held 50% of all fatal crashes in Lake County from 2015 to 2024; 3 are interstates, 8 US routes, 4 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-80 | 55 | 59 | 21 | |
| 2 | I-65 | 25 | 29 | 7 | |
| 3 | US 41 | 24 | 26 | 6 | |
| 4 | US 20 | 21 | 21 | 5 | |
| 5 | US 12 | 20 | 22 | 14 | |
| 6 | State Highway 53 | 18 | 18 | 5 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 55 | 16 | 18 | 3 | no page |
| 8 | US 30 | 15 | 15 | 5 | |
| 9 | I-90 | 13 | 16 | 4 | no page |
| 10 | US 231 | 8 | 8 | 3 | |
| 11 | US 12W | 7 | 8 | 0 | no page |
| 12 | US 41N | 7 | 8 | 0 | no page |
| 13 | State Highway 2 | 7 | 7 | 1 | no page |
| 14 | US 41S | 7 | 7 | 0 | no page |
| 15 | State Highway 53N | 6 | 6 | 0 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Gary 138, Hammond 69, Merrillville 35, Crown Point 23, Hobart 19, East Chicago 18, Lake Station 18, Lowell 13. 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 Lake County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 32 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 | 3.6 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.0 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 25 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.6 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 32 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.8%
- Feb8.2%
- Mar6.4%
- Apr9.8%
- May8.2%
- Jun9.6%
- Jul10.2%
- Aug7.8%
- Sep8.6%
- Oct10.0%
- Nov7.8%
- 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 Lake County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 40%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 26%, a pedestrian in 17%, a cyclist in 3.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 200 | 40% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 128 | 26% |
| Pedestrian | 85 | 17% |
| Other | 43 | 8.6% |
| Cyclist | 15 | 3.0% |
| Rollover | 15 | 3.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 14 | 2.8% |
| 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 Lake County compare with Indiana
A drinking driver was recorded in 24% of fatal crashes in Lake County from 2015 to 2024, above the Indiana share of 20%; speeding in 39%, above the Indiana share of 26%; a hit-and-run in 9.8%, above the Indiana share of 5.3%; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.4%, about the Indiana share; 49% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above 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.
| Lake | Indiana | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 16% | 58% | below the Indiana share |
| At or near an intersection | 24% | 27% | below the Indiana share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 24% | 31% | below the Indiana share |
| A drinking driver | 24% | 20% | above the Indiana share |
| Speeding | 39% | 26% | above the Indiana share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.4% | 5.7% | about the same as the Indiana share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 49% | 46% | above the Indiana share |
| Hit-and-run | 9.8% | 5.3% | above the Indiana share |
| A motorcycle involved | 12% | 16% | below the Indiana share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 18% | 11% | above 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 Lake County
- How many people died in car accidents in Lake County in 2024?
- 36 people died in 35 fatal crashes in Lake County, Indiana, in 2024, 34.5% fewer than in 2023. That is 7.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12 across Indiana.
- What is the deadliest road in Lake County?
- I-80 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lake County from 2015 to 2024: 55, with 59 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Lake County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 32 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Lake County involved a drinking driver?
- 122 of 500 fatal crashes in Lake County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 24%, against 20% across Indiana.
Other counties in Indiana with a page
- Marion County
- Allen County
- Elkhart 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 Lake County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Lake 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.