Fatal crashes in Laurel County, Kentucky
In 2024, 18 people died in 17 fatal crashes in Laurel County, Kentucky, up from 9 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 122 fatal crashes and 132 deaths, the 7th most of 120 counties in Kentucky.
28.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.4 across Kentucky in 2024; 21.4 against 17.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 63,353, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Kentucky.
Deaths in Laurel County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 | 18 |
| 2023 | 8 | 9 |
| 2022 | 9 | 11 |
| 2021 | 14 | 15 |
| 2020 | 12 | 13 |
| 2019 | 8 | 9 |
| 2018 | 18 | 20 |
| 2017 | 17 | 18 |
| 2016 | 11 | 11 |
| 2015 | 8 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Laurel County
US 25 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Laurel County from 2015 to 2024: 24, with 25 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 51% of all fatal crashes in Laurel County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 3 state highways. 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.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 25 | 24 | 25 | 6 | |
| 2 | I-75 | 16 | 18 | 5 | |
| 3 | State Highway 80 | 9 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 192 | 8 | 8 | 4 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 9006 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
London had 20% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 25 of 122.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: London 25. 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 Laurel County
122 fatal crashes in Laurel 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 9 pm to 10 pm; the worst month is August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan2.5%
- Feb6.6%
- Mar7.4%
- Apr9.0%
- May10.7%
- Jun11.5%
- Jul9.0%
- Aug13.9%
- Sep7.4%
- Oct8.2%
- Nov7.4%
- 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 Laurel County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in most fatal crashes, 53%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 29%, a pedestrian in 7.4%, a rollover in 7.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 64 | 53% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 35 | 29% |
| Pedestrian | 9 | 7.4% |
| Rollover | 9 | 7.4% |
| Other | 5 | 4.1% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 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 Laurel County compare with Kentucky
The largest difference from Kentucky: from 2015 to 2024, 39% of occupants killed in Laurel County were unbelted, against 52% across Kentucky. 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 122 crashes.
| Laurel | Kentucky | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 66% | 66% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 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 | 25% | 25% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Speeding | 16% | 16% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 20% | 19% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 39% | 52% | below the Kentucky share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.8% | 4.3% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 14% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 7.6% | 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 Laurel County, Kentucky
- How many people died in car accidents in Laurel County in 2024?
- 18 people died in 17 fatal crashes in Laurel County, Kentucky, in 2024, up from 9 in 2023. That is 28.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.4 across Kentucky. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Laurel County?
- US 25 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Laurel County from 2015 to 2024: 24, with 25 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Laurel County involved a drinking driver?
- 31 of 122 fatal crashes in Laurel County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 25%, against 25% across Kentucky.
Other counties in Kentucky with a page
- Jefferson County
- Fayette County
- Hardin County
- Warren County
- Pike County
- Pulaski County
- Daviess County
- Bullitt County
- McCracken County
- Christian County
- Boone County
- Madison County
All fatal crashes in Kentucky, with every county ranked.
Where the Laurel County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Laurel County (county code 125). 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/laurel-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”