Fatal crashes in Carter County, Kentucky
In 2024, 6 people died in 5 fatal crashes in Carter County, Kentucky, up from 3 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 50 fatal crashes and 56 deaths, the 41st most of 120 counties in Kentucky.
Deaths in Carter County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 6 |
| 2023 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022 | 6 | 9 |
| 2021 | 10 | 11 |
| 2020 | 3 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 |
| 2017 | 9 | 9 |
| 2016 | 2 | 2 |
| 2015 | 6 | 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 Carter County
I-64 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Carter County from 2015 to 2024: 13, with 14 deaths. The 2 roads listed held 48% of all fatal crashes in Carter County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route. 84% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 16% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
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 Carter County
50 fatal crashes in Carter 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 2 pm to 3 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 | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Wed | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.0%
- Feb6.0%
- Mar8.0%
- Apr6.0%
- May8.0%
- Jun10.0%
- Jul12.0%
- Aug12.0%
- Sep8.0%
- Oct12.0%
- Nov2.0%
- Dec8.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Carter County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 34%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 32%, a rollover in 16%, a pedestrian in 6.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 17 | 34% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 16 | 32% |
| Rollover | 8 | 16% |
| Other | 5 | 10% |
| Pedestrian | 3 | 6.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 2.0% |
| 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 Carter County compare with Kentucky
The largest difference from Kentucky: from 2015 to 2024, 100% of fatal crashes in Carter County were on rural roads, against 66% across Kentucky. Also above the Kentucky share: speeding. Below it: intersections and distracted drivers. 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 50 crashes.
| Carter | Kentucky | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 100% | 66% | above the Kentucky share |
| At or near an intersection | 6.0% | 20% | below the Kentucky share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 28% | 29% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A drinking driver | 30% | 25% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Speeding | 28% | 16% | above the Kentucky share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 8.0% | 19% | below the Kentucky share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 55% | 52% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 4.3% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A motorcycle involved | 12% | 14% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 5.4% | 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 Carter County, Kentucky
- How many people died in car accidents in Carter County in 2024?
- 6 people died in 5 fatal crashes in Carter County, Kentucky, in 2024, up from 3 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Carter County?
- I-64 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Carter County from 2015 to 2024: 13, with 14 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Carter County involved a drinking driver?
- 15 of 50 fatal crashes in Carter County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 30%, 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 Carter County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Carter County (county code 43). 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/carter-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”