Fatal crashes in Bell County, Kentucky
In 2024, 3 people died in 3 fatal crashes in Bell County, Kentucky, the same as in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 46 fatal crashes and 58 deaths, the 49th most of 120 counties in Kentucky.
Deaths in Bell County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 | 4 |
| 2021 | 8 | 9 |
| 2020 | 5 | 6 |
| 2019 | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 | 4 |
| 2017 | 8 | 11 |
| 2016 | 3 | 8 |
| 2015 | 7 | 7 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Bell County
US 119 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Bell County from 2015 to 2024: 12, with 18 deaths. The 2 roads listed held 41% of all fatal crashes in Bell County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes. 91% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 8.7% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 119 | 12 | 18 | 3 | no page |
| 2 | US 25E | 7 | 9 | 1 | no page |
Pineville had 24% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 11 of 46.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Pineville 11, Middlesboro 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 Bell County
45 fatal crashes in Bell County, Kentucky from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is March.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Mon | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Wed | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 8.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 4.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 4.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crash |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.3%
- Feb6.5%
- Mar15.2%
- Apr13.0%
- May6.5%
- Jun8.7%
- Jul6.5%
- Aug10.9%
- Sep8.7%
- Oct4.3%
- Nov8.7%
- Dec6.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Bell County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 35%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 35%, a rollover in 11%, a pedestrian in 8.7%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 16 | 35% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 16 | 35% |
| Rollover | 5 | 11% |
| Pedestrian | 4 | 8.7% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 4.3% |
| Other | 2 | 4.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 2.2% |
| 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 Bell County compare with Kentucky
The largest difference from Kentucky: from 2015 to 2024, 80% of fatal crashes in Bell County were on rural roads, against 66% across Kentucky. Also above the Kentucky share: hit-and-runs. Below it: intersections. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Kentucky. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 46 crashes.
| Bell | Kentucky | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 80% | 66% | above the Kentucky share |
| At or near an intersection | 8.7% | 20% | below the Kentucky share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 37% | 29% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A drinking driver | 28% | 25% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Speeding | 13% | 16% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 17% | 19% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 58% | 52% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Hit-and-run | 11% | 4.3% | above the Kentucky share |
| A motorcycle involved | 8.7% | 14% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.6% | 11% | about the same as the Kentucky 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 Bell County, Kentucky
- How many people died in car accidents in Bell County in 2024?
- 3 people died in 3 fatal crashes in Bell County, Kentucky, in 2024, the same as in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Bell County?
- US 119 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Bell County from 2015 to 2024: 12, with 18 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Bell County involved a drinking driver?
- 13 of 46 fatal crashes in Bell County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 28%, against 25% across Kentucky.
Other counties in Kentucky with a page
- Jefferson County
- Fayette County
- Hardin County
- Warren County
- Pike County
- Pulaski County
- Laurel County
- Daviess County
- Bullitt County
- McCracken County
- Christian County
- Boone County
All fatal crashes in Kentucky, with every county ranked.
Where the Bell County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Bell County (county code 13). 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/kentucky/bell-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”