Fatal crashes in Penobscot County, Maine
In 2024, 24 people died in 21 fatal crashes in Penobscot County, Maine, up from 19 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 172 fatal crashes and 187 deaths, the 3rd most of 16 counties in Maine.
15.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.6 across Maine in 2024; 12.2 against 11.7 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 156,840, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Maine.
Deaths in Penobscot County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 21 | 24 |
| 2023 | 17 | 19 |
| 2022 | 19 | 22 |
| 2021 | 10 | 11 |
| 2020 | 18 | 19 |
| 2019 | 23 | 26 |
| 2018 | 11 | 11 |
| 2017 | 17 | 17 |
| 2016 | 20 | 22 |
| 2015 | 16 | 16 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Penobscot County
I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Penobscot County from 2015 to 2024: 32, with 35 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 45% of all fatal crashes in Penobscot County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 4 state highways. 66% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 34% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-95 | 32 | 35 | 6 | |
| 2 | US 2 | 14 | 14 | 6 | |
| 3 | State Highway 15 | 9 | 9 | 3 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 11 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 7 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 222 | 5 | 7 | 3 | no page |
| 7 | US 1A | 5 | 6 | 1 | no page |
Bangor had 16% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 28 of 172.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Bangor 28, Hampden 8, Corinth 6, Corinna 6, Howland 6, Lincoln 6, Old Town 6, Glenburn 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 Penobscot County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 4 pm to 5 pm; the worst month is September.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Mon | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.0%
- Feb2.9%
- Mar4.1%
- Apr8.7%
- May8.1%
- Jun9.9%
- Jul12.8%
- Aug9.3%
- Sep13.4%
- Oct9.3%
- Nov7.0%
- Dec7.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Penobscot County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 40%; a collision with another vehicle in 28%, a rollover in 12%, a pedestrian in 9.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 69 | 40% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 48 | 28% |
| Rollover | 21 | 12% |
| Pedestrian | 17 | 9.9% |
| Other | 16 | 9.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.6% |
| 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 Penobscot County compare with Maine
From 2015 to 2024, every share for Penobscot County is within chance of the Maine share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Maine. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 172 crashes.
| Penobscot | Maine | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 78% | 81% | about the same as the Maine share |
| At or near an intersection | 13% | 15% | about the same as the Maine share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 30% | 30% | about the same as the Maine share |
| A drinking driver | 38% | 37% | about the same as the Maine share |
| Speeding | 26% | 28% | about the same as the Maine share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.4% | 7.6% | about the same as the Maine share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 57% | 52% | about the same as the Maine share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 1.3% | about the same as the Maine share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 17% | about the same as the Maine share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 11% | 10% | about the same as the Maine 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 Penobscot County, Maine
- How many people died in car accidents in Penobscot County in 2024?
- 24 people died in 21 fatal crashes in Penobscot County, Maine, in 2024, up from 19 in 2023. That is 15.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.6 across Maine. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Penobscot County?
- I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Penobscot County from 2015 to 2024: 32, with 35 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Penobscot County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Penobscot County involved a drinking driver?
- 66 of 172 fatal crashes in Penobscot County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 38%, against 37% across Maine.
Other counties in Maine with a page
- Cumberland County
- York County
- Kennebec County
- Androscoggin County
- Hancock County
- Oxford County
- Somerset County
- Aroostook County
- Waldo County
- Washington County
All fatal crashes in Maine, with every county ranked.
Where the Penobscot County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Penobscot County (county code 19). 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/maine/penobscot-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”