Fatal crashes in Bay County, Michigan
In 2024, 13 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Bay County, 13.3% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 112 fatal crashes and 119 deaths.
12.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan in 2024; 11.5 against 10.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 102,651, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Michigan.
Deaths in Bay County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 | 13 |
| 2023 | 15 | 15 |
| 2022 | 15 | 17 |
| 2021 | 13 | 13 |
| 2020 | 10 | 11 |
| 2019 | 8 | 9 |
| 2018 | 11 | 11 |
| 2017 | 5 | 5 |
| 2016 | 8 | 10 |
| 2015 | 15 | 15 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Bay County
State Highway 13 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Bay County from 2015 to 2024: 18, with 21 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 45% of all fatal crashes in Bay County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 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 | State Highway 13 | 18 | 21 | 7 | no page |
| 2 | I-75 | 14 | 16 | 6 | |
| 3 | State Highway 25 | 7 | 7 | 2 | |
| 4 | US 10 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 84 | 5 | 5 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Bay City 16, Bangor Township 5. 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 Bay County
Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 7.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.0%
- Feb6.2%
- Mar5.4%
- Apr8.9%
- May7.1%
- Jun9.8%
- Jul12.5%
- Aug6.2%
- Sep10.7%
- Oct10.7%
- Nov6.2%
- Dec8.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Bay County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 39%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 30%, a pedestrian in 18%, a rollover in 8.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 44 | 39% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 33 | 30% |
| Pedestrian | 20 | 18% |
| Rollover | 9 | 8.0% |
| Cyclist | 4 | 3.6% |
| Other | 2 | 1.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Bay County compare with Michigan
A drinking driver was recorded in 32% of fatal crashes in Bay County from 2015 to 2024, above the Michigan share of 28%; speeding in 21%, below the Michigan share of 25%; a hit-and-run in 0.9%, below the Michigan share of 6.5%; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.4%, about the Michigan share; 52% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the Michigan share of 38%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Michigan. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Bay | Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 49% | 41% | above the Michigan share |
| At or near an intersection | 30% | 29% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 30% | 26% | above the Michigan share |
| A drinking driver | 32% | 28% | above the Michigan share |
| Speeding | 21% | 25% | below the Michigan share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.4% | 5.9% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 52% | 38% | above the Michigan share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.9% | 6.5% | below the Michigan share |
| A motorcycle involved | 16% | 16% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 18% | 15% | above the Michigan 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 Bay County
- How many people died in car accidents in Bay County in 2024?
- 13 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Bay County, Michigan, in 2024, 13.3% fewer than in 2023. That is 12.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan.
- What is the deadliest road in Bay County?
- State Highway 13 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Bay County from 2015 to 2024: 18, with 21 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Bay County involved a drinking driver?
- 36 of 112 fatal crashes in Bay County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 32%, against 28% across Michigan.
Other counties in Michigan with a page
- Wayne County
- Oakland County
- Kent County
- Macomb County
- Genesee County
- Kalamazoo County
- Washtenaw County
- Ingham County
- Calhoun County
- Ottawa County
- Saginaw County
- St. Clair County
All fatal crashes in Michigan, with every county ranked.
Where the Bay County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Bay 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.