Fatal crashes in Eaton County, Michigan
In 2024, 18 people died in 15 fatal crashes in Eaton County, Michigan, up from 13 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 123 fatal crashes and 147 deaths, the 21st most of 83 counties in Michigan.
16.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan in 2024; 13.5 against 10.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 109,494, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Michigan.
Deaths in Eaton County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 | 18 |
| 2023 | 10 | 13 |
| 2022 | 11 | 13 |
| 2021 | 12 | 14 |
| 2020 | 13 | 14 |
| 2019 | 9 | 13 |
| 2018 | 17 | 22 |
| 2017 | 12 | 14 |
| 2016 | 11 | 11 |
| 2015 | 13 | 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 Eaton County
State Highway 50 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Eaton County from 2015 to 2024: 12, with 14 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 40% of all fatal crashes in Eaton County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 4 state highways. 47% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 53% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 50 | 12 | 14 | 4 | |
| 2 | State Highway 99 | 10 | 11 | 3 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 43 | 9 | 9 | 3 | |
| 4 | I-69 | 7 | 8 | 3 | |
| 5 | I-96 | 6 | 6 | 3 | |
| 6 | State Highway 79 | 5 | 7 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Charlotte 7, Delta Mills 6. 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 Eaton County
123 fatal crashes in Eaton County, Michigan from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 2 pm to 3 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.1%
- Feb3.3%
- Mar9.8%
- Apr4.9%
- May8.9%
- Jun8.9%
- Jul8.1%
- Aug12.2%
- Sep8.1%
- Oct14.6%
- Nov6.5%
- Dec10.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Eaton County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 48%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 24%, a rollover in 11%, a pedestrian in 9.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 59 | 48% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 30 | 24% |
| Rollover | 13 | 11% |
| Pedestrian | 12 | 9.8% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 4.1% |
| Other | 4 | 3.3% |
| 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 Eaton County compare with Michigan
The largest difference from Michigan: from 2015 to 2024, 57% of fatal crashes in Eaton County were on rural roads, against 41% across Michigan. Below the Michigan share: hit-and-runs and pedestrians. 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 123 crashes.
| Eaton | Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 57% | 41% | above the Michigan share |
| At or near an intersection | 31% | 29% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 33% | 26% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| A drinking driver | 25% | 28% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Speeding | 29% | 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 | 33% | 38% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.8% | 6.5% | below the Michigan share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 16% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.2% | 15% | below 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 Eaton County, Michigan
- How many people died in car accidents in Eaton County in 2024?
- 18 people died in 15 fatal crashes in Eaton County, Michigan, in 2024, up from 13 in 2023. That is 16.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Eaton County?
- State Highway 50 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Eaton County from 2015 to 2024: 12, with 14 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Eaton County involved a drinking driver?
- 31 of 123 fatal crashes in Eaton County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 25%, 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 Eaton County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Eaton County (county code 45). 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/eaton-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”