Fatal crashes in Pike County, Kentucky
In 2024, 19 people died in 18 fatal crashes in Pike County, 9.5% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 151 fatal crashes and 162 deaths, the 5th most of any county in Kentucky.
34.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.4 across Kentucky in 2024; 27.9 against 17.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 55,430, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Kentucky.
Deaths in Pike County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 | 19 |
| 2023 | 19 | 21 |
| 2022 | 12 | 14 |
| 2021 | 16 | 18 |
| 2020 | 14 | 14 |
| 2019 | 12 | 13 |
| 2018 | 19 | 21 |
| 2017 | 11 | 12 |
| 2016 | 16 | 16 |
| 2015 | 14 | 14 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Pike County
US 23 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Pike County from 2015 to 2024: 27, with 32 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 64% of all fatal crashes in Pike County from 2015 to 2024; 3 US routes, 4 state highways. 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 23 | 27 | 32 | 9 | |
| 2 | US 119 | 19 | 20 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | US 460 | 18 | 19 | 6 | |
| 4 | State Highway 194 | 16 | 16 | 4 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 1426 | 6 | 6 | 0 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 197 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 195 | 5 | 5 | 0 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Pikeville 34, Elkhorn City 10, Shelbiana 8, Kimper 7, Meta 7, Virgie 6, Belfry 5, Phelps 5. 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 Pike County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 10 am to 11 am; the worst month is December.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 6.6 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.0%
- Feb6.6%
- Mar7.3%
- Apr9.9%
- May10.6%
- Jun11.3%
- Jul8.6%
- Aug6.6%
- Sep7.3%
- Oct7.3%
- Nov6.6%
- Dec11.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Pike County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 41%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 40%, a rollover in 8.6%, a pedestrian in 5.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 62 | 41% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 61 | 40% |
| Rollover | 13 | 8.6% |
| Pedestrian | 8 | 5.3% |
| Other | 6 | 4.0% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.7% |
| 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 Pike County compare with Kentucky
A drinking driver was recorded in 22% of fatal crashes in Pike County from 2015 to 2024, below the Kentucky share of 25%; speeding in 15%, about the Kentucky share; a hit-and-run in 3.3%, about the Kentucky share; a driver recorded as distracted in 22%, above the Kentucky share of 19%; 59% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the Kentucky share of 52%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Kentucky. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Pike | Kentucky | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 83% | 66% | above the Kentucky share |
| At or near an intersection | 12% | 20% | below the Kentucky share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 28% | 29% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A drinking driver | 22% | 25% | below the Kentucky share |
| Speeding | 15% | 16% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 22% | 19% | above the Kentucky share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 59% | 52% | above the Kentucky share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.3% | 4.3% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A motorcycle involved | 11% | 14% | below the Kentucky share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 5.6% | 11% | below 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 Pike County
- How many people died in car accidents in Pike County in 2024?
- 19 people died in 18 fatal crashes in Pike County, Kentucky, in 2024, 9.5% fewer than in 2023. That is 34.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.4 across Kentucky.
- What is the deadliest road in Pike County?
- US 23 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Pike County from 2015 to 2024: 27, with 32 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Pike County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Pike County involved a drinking driver?
- 33 of 151 fatal crashes in Pike County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 22%, against 25% across Kentucky.
Other counties in Kentucky with a page
- Jefferson County
- Fayette County
- Hardin County
- Warren 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 Pike County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Pike County (county code 195). 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.