Fatal crashes in Hardin County, Kentucky
In 2024, 25 people died in 22 fatal crashes in Hardin County, Kentucky, 3.8% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 182 fatal crashes and 199 deaths, the 3rd most of 120 counties in Kentucky.
22.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.4 across Kentucky in 2024; 18.1 against 17.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 112,826, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Kentucky.
Deaths in Hardin County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22 | 25 |
| 2023 | 24 | 26 |
| 2022 | 18 | 19 |
| 2021 | 20 | 22 |
| 2020 | 15 | 16 |
| 2019 | 12 | 15 |
| 2018 | 20 | 22 |
| 2017 | 14 | 16 |
| 2016 | 16 | 16 |
| 2015 | 21 | 22 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Hardin County
US 31W had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Hardin County from 2015 to 2024: 28, with 33 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 65% of all fatal crashes in Hardin County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 3 US routes, 4 state highways. 89% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 11% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 31W | 28 | 33 | 11 | |
| 2 | I-65 | 25 | 25 | 8 | |
| 3 | US 62 | 16 | 18 | 5 | |
| 4 | US 31 | 14 | 17 | 7 | |
| 5 | State Highway 9001 | 11 | 11 | 3 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 3005 | 9 | 10 | 2 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 313 | 8 | 8 | 4 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 9002 | 7 | 10 | 2 | no page |
Elizabethtown had 25% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 46 of 182.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Elizabethtown 46, Radcliff 26, Vine Grove 7. 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 Hardin County
The heaviest slot is Monday, noon to 4 pm, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 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 | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan3.8%
- Feb4.9%
- Mar6.6%
- Apr4.9%
- May10.4%
- Jun8.2%
- Jul12.1%
- Aug11.5%
- Sep9.9%
- Oct12.1%
- Nov8.8%
- Dec6.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Hardin County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 47%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 24%, a rollover in 11%, a pedestrian in 10%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 86 | 47% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 44 | 24% |
| Rollover | 20 | 11% |
| Pedestrian | 19 | 10% |
| Other | 8 | 4.4% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 1.6% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 1.1% |
| 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 Hardin County compare with Kentucky
The largest difference from Kentucky: from 2015 to 2024, 34% of occupants killed in Hardin County were unbelted, against 52% across Kentucky. Below the Kentucky share: rural roads and drinking 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 182 crashes.
| Hardin | Kentucky | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 58% | 66% | below the Kentucky share |
| At or near an intersection | 23% | 20% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 25% | 29% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A drinking driver | 16% | 25% | below the Kentucky share |
| Speeding | 13% | 16% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 24% | 19% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 34% | 52% | below the Kentucky share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.6% | 4.3% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 14% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 10% | 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 Hardin County, Kentucky
- How many people died in car accidents in Hardin County in 2024?
- 25 people died in 22 fatal crashes in Hardin County, Kentucky, in 2024, 3.8% fewer than in 2023. That is 22.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.4 across Kentucky. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Hardin County?
- US 31W had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Hardin County from 2015 to 2024: 28, with 33 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Hardin County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Monday, noon to 4 pm, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Hardin County involved a drinking driver?
- 29 of 182 fatal crashes in Hardin County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 16%, against 25% across Kentucky.
Other counties in Kentucky with a page
- Jefferson County
- Fayette County
- Warren County
- Pike County
- Pulaski County
- Laurel County
- Daviess County
- Bullitt County
- McCracken County
- Christian County
- Boone County
- Madison County
All fatal crashes in Kentucky, with every county ranked.
Where the Hardin County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Hardin County (county code 93). 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/hardin-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”