Fatal crashes in Essex County, Massachusetts
In 2024, 29 people died in 27 fatal crashes in Essex County, Massachusetts, 21.6% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 322 fatal crashes and 332 deaths, the 7th most of 14 counties in Massachusetts.
3.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.1 across Massachusetts in 2024; 4.2 against 5.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 823,938, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Massachusetts.
Deaths in Essex County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 27 | 29 |
| 2023 | 35 | 37 |
| 2022 | 30 | 31 |
| 2021 | 40 | 40 |
| 2020 | 40 | 40 |
| 2019 | 33 | 34 |
| 2018 | 28 | 29 |
| 2017 | 36 | 36 |
| 2016 | 30 | 33 |
| 2015 | 23 | 23 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Essex County
I-495 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Essex County from 2015 to 2024: 28, with 32 deaths. The 12 roads listed held 50% of all fatal crashes in Essex County from 2015 to 2024; 3 are interstates, 1 US route, 8 state highways. 58% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 42% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-495 | 28 | 32 | 9 | |
| 2 | US 1 | 22 | 23 | 6 | |
| 3 | I-95 | 20 | 20 | 5 | |
| 4 | I-93 | 14 | 15 | 3 | |
| 5 | State Highway 110 | 14 | 14 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 1A | 11 | 12 | 2 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 114 | 11 | 11 | 3 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 133 | 10 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 107 | 9 | 10 | 7 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 125 | 9 | 9 | 1 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 128 | 8 | 9 | 2 | no page |
| 12 | State Highway 97 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
Andover had 8.7% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 28 of 322.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Andover 28, Haverhill 26, Methuen 26, Lynn 23, Lawrence 19, Peabody 16, Danvers 16, Salem 13. 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 Essex County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, 8 pm to midnight, with 16 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 10 pm to 11 pm; the worst month is May.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 16 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.1 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.9%
- Feb3.7%
- Mar7.1%
- Apr7.1%
- May12.1%
- Jun9.9%
- Jul10.6%
- Aug7.8%
- Sep11.8%
- Oct6.5%
- Nov8.7%
- 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 Essex County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 37%; a collision with another vehicle in 31%, a pedestrian in 19%, a rollover in 3.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 119 | 37% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 100 | 31% |
| Pedestrian | 61 | 19% |
| Other | 12 | 3.7% |
| Rollover | 11 | 3.4% |
| Cyclist | 10 | 3.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 9 | 2.8% |
| 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 Essex County compare with Massachusetts
The largest difference from Massachusetts: from 2015 to 2024, 34% of fatal crashes in Essex County were with speeding recorded, against 29% across Massachusetts. Below the Massachusetts share: rural roads. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Massachusetts. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 322 crashes.
| Essex | Massachusetts | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 2.2% | 6.6% | below the Massachusetts share |
| At or near an intersection | 25% | 26% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 16% | 19% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| A drinking driver | 26% | 30% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| Speeding | 34% | 29% | above the Massachusetts share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 12% | 12% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 57% | 62% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.7% | 4.9% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| A motorcycle involved | 16% | 16% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 19% | 20% | about the same as the Massachusetts 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 Essex County, Massachusetts
- How many people died in car accidents in Essex County in 2024?
- 29 people died in 27 fatal crashes in Essex County, Massachusetts, in 2024, 21.6% fewer than in 2023. That is 3.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.1 across Massachusetts. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Essex County?
- I-495 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Essex County from 2015 to 2024: 28, with 32 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Essex County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, 8 pm to midnight, with 16 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Essex County involved a drinking driver?
- 85 of 322 fatal crashes in Essex County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 26%, against 30% across Massachusetts.
Other counties in Massachusetts with a page
- Middlesex County
- Worcester County
- Bristol County
- Hampden County
- Norfolk County
- Plymouth County
- Suffolk County
- Barnstable County
- Berkshire County
- Hampshire County
- Franklin County
All fatal crashes in Massachusetts, with every county ranked.
Where the Essex County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Essex County (county code 9). 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/massachusetts/essex-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”