Fatal crashes in Pulaski County, Kentucky
In 2024, 18 people died in 18 fatal crashes in Pulaski County, Kentucky, up from 17 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 127 fatal crashes and 136 deaths, the 6th most of 120 counties in Kentucky.
26.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.4 across Kentucky in 2024; 20.9 against 17.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 66,842, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Kentucky.
Deaths in Pulaski County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 | 18 |
| 2023 | 16 | 17 |
| 2022 | 8 | 9 |
| 2021 | 11 | 12 |
| 2020 | 12 | 13 |
| 2019 | 13 | 16 |
| 2018 | 11 | 12 |
| 2017 | 9 | 9 |
| 2016 | 16 | 16 |
| 2015 | 13 | 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 Pulaski County
US 27 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Pulaski County from 2015 to 2024: 32, with 38 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 54% of all fatal crashes in Pulaski County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 4 state highways. 82% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 18% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 27 | 32 | 38 | 15 | |
| 2 | State Highway 80 | 15 | 16 | 3 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 914 | 9 | 9 | 0 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 461 | 6 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 39 | 6 | 6 | 1 | no page |
Somerset had 25% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 32 of 127.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Somerset 32, Burnside 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 Pulaski County
127 fatal crashes in Pulaski 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 3 pm to 4 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 | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 7.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 6.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.1%
- Feb6.3%
- Mar14.2%
- Apr8.7%
- May7.1%
- Jun7.1%
- Jul11.8%
- Aug7.1%
- Sep9.4%
- Oct6.3%
- Nov6.3%
- Dec8.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Pulaski County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 48%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 28%, a pedestrian in 10%, a rollover in 5.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 61 | 48% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 36 | 28% |
| Pedestrian | 13 | 10% |
| Other | 9 | 7.1% |
| Rollover | 7 | 5.5% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.8% |
| 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 Pulaski County compare with Kentucky
The largest difference from Kentucky: from 2015 to 2024, 30% of fatal crashes in Pulaski County were at or near an intersection, against 20% 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 127 crashes.
| Pulaski | Kentucky | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 68% | 66% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| At or near an intersection | 30% | 20% | above the Kentucky share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 28% | 29% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A drinking driver | 26% | 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 | 46% | 52% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.6% | 4.3% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 14% | about the same as the Kentucky share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 9.6% | 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 Pulaski County, Kentucky
- How many people died in car accidents in Pulaski County in 2024?
- 18 people died in 18 fatal crashes in Pulaski County, Kentucky, in 2024, up from 17 in 2023. That is 26.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.4 across Kentucky. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Pulaski County?
- US 27 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Pulaski County from 2015 to 2024: 32, with 38 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Pulaski County involved a drinking driver?
- 33 of 127 fatal crashes in Pulaski County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 26%, against 25% across Kentucky.
Other counties in Kentucky with a page
- Jefferson County
- Fayette County
- Hardin County
- Warren County
- Pike 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 Pulaski County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Pulaski County (county code 199). 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/pulaski-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”