Fatal crashes in Suffolk County, Massachusetts
In 2024, 33 people died in 31 fatal crashes in Suffolk County, 50.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 256 fatal crashes and 271 deaths, the 8th most of any county in Massachusetts.
4.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.1 across Massachusetts in 2024; 3.4 against 5.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 793,144, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Massachusetts.
Deaths in Suffolk County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 31 | 33 |
| 2023 | 21 | 22 |
| 2022 | 26 | 28 |
| 2021 | 34 | 36 |
| 2020 | 19 | 19 |
| 2019 | 22 | 24 |
| 2018 | 19 | 20 |
| 2017 | 24 | 25 |
| 2016 | 32 | 34 |
| 2015 | 28 | 30 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Suffolk County
I-93 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Suffolk County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 20 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 20% of all fatal crashes in Suffolk County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 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-93 | 19 | 20 | 6 | |
| 2 | I-90 | 13 | 14 | 3 | |
| 3 | State Highway 1A | 10 | 10 | 2 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 28 | 5 | 6 | 3 | |
| 5 | State Highway 203 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Boston 192, Revere 15, Chelsea 12. 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 Suffolk County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, midnight to 4 am, with 17 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 1 am to 2 am; the worst month is July.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 5.6 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.3 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 6.7 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.4%
- Feb7.8%
- Mar9.4%
- Apr7.8%
- May7.0%
- Jun8.2%
- Jul11.7%
- Aug9.8%
- Sep7.4%
- Oct6.6%
- Nov7.8%
- Dec9.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Suffolk County first hit
The first harmful event was a pedestrian in 40%; a collision with another vehicle in 24%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 22%, a cyclist in 4.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrian | 103 | 40% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 61 | 24% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 55 | 22% |
| Other | 17 | 6.6% |
| Cyclist | 11 | 4.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 6 | 2.3% |
| Rollover | 3 | 1.2% |
| 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 Suffolk County compare with Massachusetts
A drinking driver was recorded in 27% of fatal crashes in Suffolk County from 2015 to 2024, below the Massachusetts share of 30%; speeding in 26%, below the Massachusetts share of 29%; a hit-and-run in 13%, above the Massachusetts share of 4.9%; a driver recorded as distracted in 7.0%, below the Massachusetts share of 12%; 69% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above 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.
| Suffolk | Massachusetts | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 0.4% | 6.6% | below the Massachusetts share |
| At or near an intersection | 46% | 26% | above the Massachusetts share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 3.6% | 19% | below the Massachusetts share |
| A drinking driver | 27% | 30% | below the Massachusetts share |
| Speeding | 26% | 29% | below the Massachusetts share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.0% | 12% | below the Massachusetts share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 69% | 62% | above the Massachusetts share |
| Hit-and-run | 13% | 4.9% | above the Massachusetts share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 16% | above the Massachusetts share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 41% | 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 Suffolk County
- How many people died in car accidents in Suffolk County in 2024?
- 33 people died in 31 fatal crashes in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, in 2024, 50.0% more than in 2023. That is 4.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.1 across Massachusetts.
- What is the deadliest road in Suffolk County?
- I-93 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Suffolk County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 20 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Suffolk County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, midnight to 4 am, with 17 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Suffolk County involved a drinking driver?
- 70 of 256 fatal crashes in Suffolk County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 27%, against 30% across Massachusetts.
Other counties in Massachusetts with a page
- Middlesex County
- Worcester County
- Bristol County
- Hampden County
- Norfolk County
- Plymouth County
- Essex County
- Barnstable County
- Berkshire County
- Hampshire County
- Franklin County
All fatal crashes in Massachusetts, with every county ranked.
Where the Suffolk County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Suffolk County (county code 25). 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.