Fatal crashes in Middlesex County, Massachusetts
In 2024, 55 people died in 54 fatal crashes in Middlesex County, 27.9% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 499 fatal crashes and 513 deaths, the most of any county in Massachusetts.
3.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.1 across Massachusetts in 2024; 3.2 against 5.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 1,668,956, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Massachusetts.
Deaths in Middlesex County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 54 | 55 |
| 2023 | 40 | 43 |
| 2022 | 74 | 75 |
| 2021 | 57 | 57 |
| 2020 | 44 | 46 |
| 2019 | 43 | 43 |
| 2018 | 46 | 48 |
| 2017 | 33 | 34 |
| 2016 | 62 | 64 |
| 2015 | 46 | 48 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Middlesex County
I-495 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Middlesex County from 2015 to 2024: 40, with 41 deaths. The 15 roads listed held 41% of all fatal crashes in Middlesex County from 2015 to 2024; 4 are interstates, 2 US routes, 9 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 | I-495 | 40 | 41 | 15 | |
| 2 | I-93 | 25 | 25 | 8 | |
| 3 | US 3 | 18 | 19 | 10 | no page |
| 4 | I-95 | 17 | 17 | 3 | |
| 5 | State Highway 38 | 13 | 15 | 4 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 16 | 13 | 13 | 3 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 2A | 13 | 13 | 3 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 28 | 11 | 11 | 3 | |
| 9 | State Highway 62 | 10 | 10 | 7 | no page |
| 10 | I-90 | 9 | 9 | 3 | |
| 11 | US 20 | 7 | 9 | 2 | |
| 12 | State Highway 99 | 7 | 8 | 2 | no page |
| 13 | State Highway 110 | 7 | 7 | 4 | no page |
| 14 | State Highway 2 | 7 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 15 | State Highway 119 | 6 | 6 | 5 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Lowell 31, Chelmsford 29, Woburn 20, Newton 20, Framingham 19, Marlborough 19, Medford 18, Wilmington 15. 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 Middlesex County
The heaviest slot is Wednesday, 4 to 8 pm, with 29 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 5 pm to 6 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, 19 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 29 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 20 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 23 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.2%
- Feb6.8%
- Mar6.2%
- Apr7.2%
- May8.6%
- Jun9.8%
- Jul6.8%
- Aug11.0%
- Sep8.6%
- Oct10.8%
- Nov8.0%
- Dec7.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Middlesex County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 32%; a collision with another vehicle in 31%, a pedestrian in 23%, a rollover in 3.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 161 | 32% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 153 | 31% |
| Pedestrian | 115 | 23% |
| Other | 28 | 5.6% |
| Rollover | 17 | 3.4% |
| Cyclist | 16 | 3.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 9 | 1.8% |
| 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 Middlesex County compare with Massachusetts
A drinking driver was recorded in 26% of fatal crashes in Middlesex County from 2015 to 2024, below the Massachusetts share of 30%; speeding in 25%, below the Massachusetts share of 29%; a hit-and-run in 3.8%, below the Massachusetts share of 4.9%; a driver recorded as distracted in 11%, about the Massachusetts share; 51% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Massachusetts share of 62%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Massachusetts. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Middlesex | Massachusetts | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 1.0% | 6.6% | below the Massachusetts share |
| At or near an intersection | 27% | 26% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 14% | 19% | below the Massachusetts share |
| A drinking driver | 26% | 30% | below the Massachusetts share |
| Speeding | 25% | 29% | below the Massachusetts share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 11% | 12% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 51% | 62% | below the Massachusetts share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.8% | 4.9% | below the Massachusetts share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 16% | below the Massachusetts share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 24% | 20% | above 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 Middlesex County
- How many people died in car accidents in Middlesex County in 2024?
- 55 people died in 54 fatal crashes in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in 2024, 27.9% more than in 2023. That is 3.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.1 across Massachusetts.
- What is the deadliest road in Middlesex County?
- I-495 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Middlesex County from 2015 to 2024: 40, with 41 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Middlesex County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Wednesday, 4 to 8 pm, with 29 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Middlesex County involved a drinking driver?
- 131 of 499 fatal crashes in Middlesex County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 26%, against 30% across Massachusetts.
Other counties in Massachusetts with a page
- Worcester County
- Bristol County
- Hampden County
- Norfolk County
- Plymouth County
- Essex County
- Suffolk County
- Barnstable County
- Berkshire County
- Hampshire County
- Franklin County
All fatal crashes in Massachusetts, with every county ranked.
Where the Middlesex County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Middlesex County (county code 17). 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.