Fatal crashes in Douglas County, Kansas
In 2024, 8 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Douglas County, 14.3% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 76 fatal crashes and 86 deaths, the 7th most of any county in Kansas.
Deaths in Douglas County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 8 |
| 2023 | 7 | 7 |
| 2022 | 7 | 7 |
| 2021 | 6 | 6 |
| 2020 | 12 | 18 |
| 2019 | 10 | 12 |
| 2018 | 6 | 6 |
| 2017 | 10 | 10 |
| 2016 | 5 | 5 |
| 2015 | 7 | 7 |
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 Douglas County
The 4 roads listed held 33% of all fatal crashes in Douglas County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 1 state highway. 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 | 9 | 14 | 2 | no page |
| 2 | I-70 | 6 | 6 | 2 | |
| 3 | State Highway 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | no page |
| 4 | US 56 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Lawrence 23. 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 Douglas 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 | 5.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan10.5%
- Feb3.9%
- Mar6.6%
- Apr13.2%
- May7.9%
- Jun5.3%
- Jul10.5%
- Aug7.9%
- Sep9.2%
- Oct10.5%
- Nov9.2%
- Dec5.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Douglas County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 45%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 33%, a rollover in 11%, a pedestrian in 9.2%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 34 | 45% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 25 | 33% |
| Rollover | 8 | 11% |
| Pedestrian | 7 | 9.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.3% |
| Other | 1 | 1.3% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Douglas County compare with Kansas
A drinking driver was recorded in 34% of fatal crashes in Douglas County from 2015 to 2024, above the Kansas share of 23%; speeding in 25%, about the Kansas share; a hit-and-run in 1.3%, below the Kansas share of 3.7%; a driver recorded as distracted in 20%, below the Kansas share of 23%; 50% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Kansas share of 51%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Kansas. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Douglas | Kansas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 50% | 63% | below the Kansas share |
| At or near an intersection | 17% | 25% | below the Kansas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 34% | 26% | above the Kansas share |
| A drinking driver | 34% | 23% | above the Kansas share |
| Speeding | 25% | 24% | about the same as the Kansas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 20% | 23% | below the Kansas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 50% | 51% | below the Kansas share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.3% | 3.7% | below the Kansas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 14% | above the Kansas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.1% | 8.3% | about the same as the Kansas 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 Douglas County
- How many people died in car accidents in Douglas County in 2024?
- 8 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Douglas County, Kansas, in 2024, 14.3% more than in 2023.
- How many fatal crashes in Douglas County involved a drinking driver?
- 26 of 76 fatal crashes in Douglas County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 34%, against 23% across Kansas.
Other counties in Kansas with a page
- Sedgwick County
- Johnson County
- Wyandotte County
- Shawnee County
- Leavenworth County
- Butler County
- Reno County
- Montgomery County
- Saline County
- Franklin County
- Crawford County
- Harvey County
All fatal crashes in Kansas, with every county ranked.
Where the Douglas County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Douglas County (county code 45). 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.