Fatal crashes in Putnam County, Indiana
In 2024, 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Putnam County, 20.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 62 fatal crashes and 68 deaths.
Deaths in Putnam County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 6 |
| 2023 | 4 | 5 |
| 2022 | 8 | 9 |
| 2021 | 4 | 6 |
| 2020 | 8 | 8 |
| 2019 | 10 | 10 |
| 2018 | 5 | 6 |
| 2017 | 8 | 9 |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 |
| 2015 | 8 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Numbered roads with fatal crashes in Putnam County
The 3 roads listed held 26% of all fatal crashes in Putnam County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes. 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 40 | 6 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2 | US 231 | 5 | 6 | 2 | |
| 3 | I-70 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Greencastle 8. 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 Putnam 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 | 8.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.5%
- Feb11.3%
- Mar12.9%
- Apr8.1%
- May1.6%
- Jun14.5%
- Jul4.8%
- Aug12.9%
- Sep6.5%
- Oct9.7%
- Nov3.2%
- Dec8.1%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Putnam County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 42%; a collision with another vehicle in 27%, a rollover in 15%, a pedestrian in 6.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 26 | 42% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 17 | 27% |
| Rollover | 9 | 15% |
| Pedestrian | 4 | 6.5% |
| Other | 4 | 6.5% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.6% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.6% |
| 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 Putnam County compare with Indiana
A drinking driver was recorded in 16% of fatal crashes in Putnam County from 2015 to 2024, below the Indiana share of 20%; speeding in 36%, above the Indiana share of 26%; a hit-and-run in 1.6%, below the Indiana share of 5.3%; a driver recorded as distracted in 11%, above the Indiana share of 5.7%; 42% 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.
| Putnam | Indiana | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 92% | 58% | above the Indiana share |
| At or near an intersection | 13% | 27% | below the Indiana share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 32% | 31% | above the Indiana share |
| A drinking driver | 16% | 20% | below the Indiana share |
| Speeding | 36% | 26% | above the Indiana share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 11% | 5.7% | above the Indiana share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 42% | 46% | below the Indiana share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.6% | 5.3% | below the Indiana share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 16% | below the Indiana share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 5.9% | 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 Putnam County
- How many people died in car accidents in Putnam County in 2024?
- 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Putnam County, Indiana, in 2024, 20.0% more than in 2023.
- How many fatal crashes in Putnam County involved a drinking driver?
- 10 of 62 fatal crashes in Putnam County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 16%, against 20% across Indiana.
Other counties in Indiana with a page
- Marion County
- Lake County
- Allen County
- Elkhart County
- St. Joseph County
- Porter County
- Vanderburgh County
- LaPorte County
- Hamilton County
- Madison County
- Tippecanoe County
- Delaware County
All fatal crashes in Indiana, with every county ranked.
Where the Putnam County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Putnam County (county code 133). 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.