Fatal crashes in Worcester County, Massachusetts
In 2024, 49 people died in 46 fatal crashes in Worcester County, 8.9% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 497 fatal crashes and 533 deaths, the 2nd most of any county in Massachusetts.
5.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.1 across Massachusetts in 2024; 6.3 against 5.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 881,248, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Massachusetts.
Deaths in Worcester County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 46 | 49 |
| 2023 | 42 | 45 |
| 2022 | 70 | 78 |
| 2021 | 54 | 59 |
| 2020 | 31 | 33 |
| 2019 | 47 | 48 |
| 2018 | 62 | 64 |
| 2017 | 52 | 55 |
| 2016 | 46 | 49 |
| 2015 | 47 | 53 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Worcester County
US 20 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Worcester County from 2015 to 2024: 26, with 30 deaths. The 15 roads listed held 48% of all fatal crashes in Worcester County from 2015 to 2024; 5 are interstates, 1 US route, 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 | US 20 | 26 | 30 | 7 | |
| 2 | I-90 | 26 | 28 | 10 | |
| 3 | State Highway 12 | 22 | 22 | 6 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 9 | 21 | 22 | 7 | |
| 5 | I-290 | 20 | 21 | 8 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 122 | 18 | 19 | 6 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 2 | 17 | 20 | 3 | no page |
| 8 | I-495 | 15 | 17 | 3 | |
| 9 | I-190 | 15 | 16 | 4 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 2A | 13 | 13 | 5 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 140 | 11 | 13 | 4 | |
| 12 | State Highway 146 | 11 | 11 | 4 | no page |
| 13 | I-395 | 10 | 12 | 5 | no page |
| 14 | State Highway 70 | 9 | 9 | 1 | no page |
| 15 | State Highway 16 | 6 | 8 | 4 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Worcester 81, Leominster 21, Milford 16, Gardner 16, Auburn 14, Sturbridge 13, Oxford 12, Lancaster 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 Worcester County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 22 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 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 | 3.5 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 16 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 16 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 21 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.7 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 22 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.6%
- Feb6.6%
- Mar5.0%
- Apr7.4%
- May9.9%
- Jun8.0%
- Jul9.7%
- Aug9.9%
- Sep9.9%
- Oct9.7%
- Nov8.0%
- Dec9.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Worcester County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 35%; a collision with another vehicle in 35%, a pedestrian in 16%, a parked vehicle in 3.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 176 | 35% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 175 | 35% |
| Pedestrian | 78 | 16% |
| Other | 26 | 5.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 19 | 3.8% |
| Rollover | 18 | 3.6% |
| Cyclist | 4 | 0.8% |
| Not reported | 1 | 0.2% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Worcester County compare with Massachusetts
A drinking driver was recorded in 34% of fatal crashes in Worcester County from 2015 to 2024, above the Massachusetts share of 30%; speeding in 30%, about the Massachusetts share; a hit-and-run in 3.0%, below the Massachusetts share of 4.9%; a driver recorded as distracted in 10%, below the Massachusetts share of 12%; 58% 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.
| Worcester | Massachusetts | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 11% | 6.6% | above the Massachusetts share |
| At or near an intersection | 19% | 26% | below the Massachusetts share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 25% | 19% | above the Massachusetts share |
| A drinking driver | 34% | 30% | above the Massachusetts share |
| Speeding | 30% | 29% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 10% | 12% | below the Massachusetts share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 58% | 62% | below the Massachusetts share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.0% | 4.9% | below the Massachusetts share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 16% | below the Massachusetts share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 16% | 20% | below 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 Worcester County
- How many people died in car accidents in Worcester County in 2024?
- 49 people died in 46 fatal crashes in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in 2024, 8.9% more than in 2023. That is 5.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.1 across Massachusetts.
- What is the deadliest road in Worcester County?
- US 20 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Worcester County from 2015 to 2024: 26, with 30 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Worcester County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 22 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Worcester County involved a drinking driver?
- 171 of 497 fatal crashes in Worcester County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 34%, against 30% across Massachusetts.
Other counties in Massachusetts with a page
- Middlesex 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 Worcester County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Worcester County (county code 27). 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.