Fatal crashes in Calhoun County, Michigan
In 2024, 21 people died in 20 fatal crashes in Calhoun County, Michigan, 19.2% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 203 fatal crashes and 220 deaths, the 9th most of 83 counties in Michigan.
15.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan in 2024; 16.4 against 10.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 133,785, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Michigan.
Deaths in Calhoun County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 | 21 |
| 2023 | 24 | 26 |
| 2022 | 20 | 23 |
| 2021 | 21 | 22 |
| 2020 | 20 | 20 |
| 2019 | 22 | 23 |
| 2018 | 14 | 14 |
| 2017 | 17 | 20 |
| 2016 | 25 | 26 |
| 2015 | 20 | 25 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Calhoun County
State Highway 96 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Calhoun County from 2015 to 2024: 32, with 34 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 45% of all fatal crashes in Calhoun County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 5 state highways. 49% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 51% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 96 | 32 | 34 | 11 | |
| 2 | I-94 | 19 | 23 | 10 | |
| 3 | State Highway 66 | 11 | 14 | 5 | |
| 4 | I-69 | 10 | 10 | 2 | |
| 5 | State Highway 89 | 9 | 9 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 60 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 37 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
Battle Creek had 27% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 54 of 203.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Battle Creek 54, Springfield 12, Bedford 7, Marengo 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 Calhoun County
The heaviest slot is Wednesday, 4 to 8 am, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 5 pm to 6 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 | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.9%
- Feb4.4%
- Mar7.4%
- Apr6.4%
- May11.3%
- Jun9.4%
- Jul10.3%
- Aug7.9%
- Sep10.8%
- Oct10.8%
- Nov5.4%
- Dec8.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Calhoun County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 40%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 35%, a pedestrian in 11%, a rollover in 6.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 82 | 40% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 71 | 35% |
| Pedestrian | 22 | 11% |
| Rollover | 13 | 6.4% |
| Other | 7 | 3.4% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 2.5% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 1.0% |
| Not reported | 1 | 0.5% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Calhoun County compare with Michigan
From 2015 to 2024, every share for Calhoun County is within chance of the Michigan share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Michigan. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 203 crashes.
| Calhoun | Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 45% | 41% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| At or near an intersection | 29% | 29% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 28% | 26% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| A drinking driver | 34% | 28% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Speeding | 27% | 25% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.9% | 5.9% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 39% | 38% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.5% | 6.5% | below the Michigan share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 16% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 11% | 15% | about the same as 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 Calhoun County, Michigan
- How many people died in car accidents in Calhoun County in 2024?
- 21 people died in 20 fatal crashes in Calhoun County, Michigan, in 2024, 19.2% fewer than in 2023. That is 15.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Calhoun County?
- State Highway 96 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Calhoun County from 2015 to 2024: 32, with 34 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Calhoun County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Wednesday, 4 to 8 am, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Calhoun County involved a drinking driver?
- 69 of 203 fatal crashes in Calhoun County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 34%, 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
- Ottawa County
- Saginaw County
- St. Clair County
- Jackson County
All fatal crashes in Michigan, with every county ranked.
Where the Calhoun County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Calhoun 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. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/michigan/calhoun-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”