Fatal crashes in Kalamazoo County, Michigan
In 2024, 25 people died in 25 fatal crashes in Kalamazoo County, 43.2% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 285 fatal crashes and 310 deaths, the 6th most of any county in Michigan.
9.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan in 2024; 11.8 against 10.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 264,780, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Michigan.
Deaths in Kalamazoo County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25 | 25 |
| 2023 | 41 | 44 |
| 2022 | 31 | 32 |
| 2021 | 38 | 39 |
| 2020 | 20 | 21 |
| 2019 | 17 | 19 |
| 2018 | 28 | 30 |
| 2017 | 29 | 38 |
| 2016 | 31 | 35 |
| 2015 | 25 | 27 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Kalamazoo County
I-94 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Kalamazoo County from 2015 to 2024: 23, with 24 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 26% of all fatal crashes in Kalamazoo 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 | I-94 | 23 | 24 | 4 | |
| 2 | State Highway 43 | 21 | 21 | 5 | |
| 3 | US 131 | 15 | 19 | 3 | |
| 4 | State Highway 89 | 9 | 10 | 4 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 96 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Kalamazoo 50, Portage 27, Comstock 20, Oshtemo 17, Alamo 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 Kalamazoo County
The heaviest slot is Friday, noon to 4 pm, with 14 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 pm; the worst month is June.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.6 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.1%
- Feb4.2%
- Mar7.4%
- Apr8.4%
- May8.4%
- Jun11.2%
- Jul10.2%
- Aug9.8%
- Sep8.4%
- Oct7.7%
- Nov8.4%
- Dec7.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Kalamazoo County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 41%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 33%, a pedestrian in 11%, a rollover in 4.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 117 | 41% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 94 | 33% |
| Pedestrian | 32 | 11% |
| Rollover | 14 | 4.9% |
| Other | 13 | 4.6% |
| Cyclist | 12 | 4.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 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 Kalamazoo County compare with Michigan
A drinking driver was recorded in 28% of fatal crashes in Kalamazoo County from 2015 to 2024, about the Michigan share; speeding in 30%, above the Michigan share of 25%; a hit-and-run in 7.7%, above the Michigan share of 6.5%; a driver recorded as distracted in 6.3%, about the Michigan share; 36% 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.
| Kalamazoo | Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 37% | 41% | below the Michigan share |
| At or near an intersection | 27% | 29% | below the Michigan share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 26% | 26% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| A drinking driver | 28% | 28% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Speeding | 30% | 25% | above the Michigan share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.3% | 5.9% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 36% | 38% | below the Michigan share |
| Hit-and-run | 7.7% | 6.5% | above the Michigan share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 16% | below the Michigan share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 12% | 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 Kalamazoo County
- How many people died in car accidents in Kalamazoo County in 2024?
- 25 people died in 25 fatal crashes in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, in 2024, 43.2% fewer than in 2023. That is 9.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan.
- What is the deadliest road in Kalamazoo County?
- I-94 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Kalamazoo County from 2015 to 2024: 23, with 24 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Kalamazoo County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, noon to 4 pm, with 14 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Kalamazoo County involved a drinking driver?
- 81 of 285 fatal crashes in Kalamazoo County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 28%, against 28% across Michigan.
Other counties in Michigan with a page
- Wayne County
- Oakland County
- Kent County
- Macomb County
- Genesee County
- Washtenaw County
- Ingham County
- Calhoun County
- Ottawa County
- Saginaw County
- St. Clair County
- Jackson County
All fatal crashes in Michigan, with every county ranked.
Where the Kalamazoo County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Kalamazoo County (county code 77). 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.