Fatal crashes in Washington County, Maryland
In 2024, 14 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Washington County, Maryland, down from 18 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 153 fatal crashes and 166 deaths, the 11th most of 24 counties in Maryland.
8.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Maryland in 2024; 10.9 against 9.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 157,228, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Maryland.
Deaths in Washington County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 14 |
| 2023 | 16 | 18 |
| 2022 | 19 | 21 |
| 2021 | 12 | 12 |
| 2020 | 10 | 10 |
| 2019 | 22 | 28 |
| 2018 | 14 | 14 |
| 2017 | 14 | 14 |
| 2016 | 17 | 18 |
| 2015 | 15 | 17 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Washington County
I-70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Washington County from 2015 to 2024: 34, with 36 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 54% of all fatal crashes in Washington County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 2 US routes, 1 state highway. 73% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 27% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-70 | 34 | 36 | 9 | |
| 2 | US 40 | 23 | 26 | 9 | |
| 3 | I-81 | 11 | 14 | 6 | no page |
| 4 | US 11 | 10 | 10 | 5 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 63 | 5 | 7 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Hagerstown 6. 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 Washington County
153 fatal crashes in Washington County, Maryland 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 7 pm to 8 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 | 3.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan11.1%
- Feb5.2%
- Mar6.5%
- Apr9.2%
- May7.8%
- Jun8.5%
- Jul6.5%
- Aug11.8%
- Sep6.5%
- Oct11.1%
- Nov8.5%
- Dec7.2%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Washington County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 34%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 34%, a pedestrian in 19%, a rollover in 3.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 52 | 34% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 52 | 34% |
| Pedestrian | 29 | 19% |
| Other | 7 | 4.6% |
| Rollover | 6 | 3.9% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 3.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 1.3% |
| 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 Washington County compare with Maryland
The largest difference from Maryland: from 2015 to 2024, 28% of fatal crashes in Washington County were on rural roads, against 19% across Maryland. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Maryland. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 153 crashes.
| Washington | Maryland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 28% | 19% | above the Maryland share |
| At or near an intersection | 22% | 29% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 28% | 24% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| A drinking driver | 24% | 28% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| Speeding | 25% | 26% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.2% | 9.6% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 41% | 43% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| Hit-and-run | 7.2% | 7.8% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 16% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 18% | 23% | about the same as the Maryland 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 Washington County, Maryland
- How many people died in car accidents in Washington County in 2024?
- 14 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Washington County, Maryland, in 2024, down from 18 in 2023. That is 8.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Maryland. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Washington County?
- I-70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Washington County from 2015 to 2024: 34, with 36 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Washington County involved a drinking driver?
- 36 of 153 fatal crashes in Washington County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 24%, against 28% across Maryland.
Other counties in Maryland with a page
- Prince George's County
- Baltimore County
- Baltimore city
- Anne Arundel County
- Montgomery County
- Frederick County
- Howard County
- Charles County
- Cecil County
- Harford County
- Carroll County
- St. Mary's County
All fatal crashes in Maryland, with every county ranked.
Where the Washington County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Washington County (county code 43). 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/maryland/washington-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”