Fatal crashes in Berrien County, Michigan
In 2024, 17 people died in 17 fatal crashes in Berrien County, 5.6% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 175 fatal crashes and 191 deaths, the 16th most of any county in Michigan.
11.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan in 2024; 12.4 against 10.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 152,703, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Michigan.
Deaths in Berrien County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 | 17 |
| 2023 | 16 | 18 |
| 2022 | 13 | 13 |
| 2021 | 24 | 25 |
| 2020 | 12 | 12 |
| 2019 | 24 | 28 |
| 2018 | 18 | 20 |
| 2017 | 18 | 20 |
| 2016 | 16 | 20 |
| 2015 | 17 | 18 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Berrien County
I-94 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Berrien County from 2015 to 2024: 22, with 24 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 35% of all fatal crashes in Berrien County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 2 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-94 | 22 | 24 | 4 | |
| 2 | US 12 | 14 | 15 | 6 | |
| 3 | State Highway 139 | 11 | 14 | 2 | no page |
| 4 | US 31 | 8 | 9 | 0 | |
| 5 | State Highway 51 | 7 | 7 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Benton Harbor 10, Bertrand 10. 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 Berrien County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 4 to 8 pm, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 pm; 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 | 4.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.6%
- Feb4.6%
- Mar6.9%
- Apr5.7%
- May6.9%
- Jun8.0%
- Jul13.1%
- Aug11.4%
- Sep9.7%
- Oct9.1%
- Nov12.0%
- Dec4.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Berrien County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 46%; a pedestrian in 19%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 19%, a rollover in 7.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 80 | 46% |
| Pedestrian | 34 | 19% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 34 | 19% |
| Rollover | 13 | 7.4% |
| Other | 8 | 4.6% |
| Cyclist | 4 | 2.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 1.1% |
| 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 Berrien County compare with Michigan
A drinking driver was recorded in 32% of fatal crashes in Berrien County from 2015 to 2024, above the Michigan share of 28%; speeding in 19%, below the Michigan share of 25%; a hit-and-run in 6.3%, about the Michigan share; a driver recorded as distracted in 6.3%, about the Michigan share; 32% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below 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.
| Berrien | Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 47% | 41% | above the Michigan share |
| At or near an intersection | 26% | 29% | below the Michigan share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 32% | 26% | above the Michigan share |
| A drinking driver | 32% | 28% | above the Michigan share |
| Speeding | 19% | 25% | below the Michigan share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.3% | 5.9% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 32% | 38% | below the Michigan share |
| Hit-and-run | 6.3% | 6.5% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| A motorcycle involved | 11% | 16% | below 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 Berrien County
- How many people died in car accidents in Berrien County in 2024?
- 17 people died in 17 fatal crashes in Berrien County, Michigan, in 2024, 5.6% fewer than in 2023. That is 11.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan.
- What is the deadliest road in Berrien County?
- I-94 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Berrien County from 2015 to 2024: 22, with 24 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Berrien County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 4 to 8 pm, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Berrien County involved a drinking driver?
- 56 of 175 fatal crashes in Berrien 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 Berrien County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Berrien County (county code 21). 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.