Fatal crashes in Ottawa County, Michigan
In 2024, 17 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Ottawa County, Michigan, the same as in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 197 fatal crashes and 210 deaths, the 10th most of 83 counties in Michigan.
5.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan in 2024; 7.1 against 10.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 306,235, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Michigan.
Deaths in Ottawa County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 | 17 |
| 2023 | 17 | 17 |
| 2022 | 21 | 23 |
| 2021 | 27 | 29 |
| 2020 | 14 | 15 |
| 2019 | 20 | 20 |
| 2018 | 23 | 26 |
| 2017 | 17 | 17 |
| 2016 | 24 | 27 |
| 2015 | 18 | 19 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Ottawa County
US 31 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Ottawa County from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 21 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 25% of all fatal crashes in Ottawa County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 1 US route, 1 state highway. 31% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 69% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
Holland had 6.1% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 12 of 197.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Holland 12, Jamestown 7, Tallmadge 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 Ottawa County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 5 pm to 6 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 | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.1%
- Feb6.1%
- Mar5.1%
- Apr6.6%
- May11.7%
- Jun14.7%
- Jul6.1%
- Aug11.2%
- Sep14.2%
- Oct7.6%
- Nov5.1%
- Dec5.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Ottawa County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in most fatal crashes, 52%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 25%, a pedestrian in 8.1%, a rollover in 5.6%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 102 | 52% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 50 | 25% |
| Pedestrian | 16 | 8.1% |
| Rollover | 11 | 5.6% |
| Other | 9 | 4.6% |
| Cyclist | 7 | 3.6% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 1.0% |
| 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 Ottawa County compare with Michigan
The largest difference from Michigan: from 2015 to 2024, 25% of occupants killed in Ottawa County were unbelted, against 38% across Michigan. Also above the Michigan share: intersections. Below it: rural roads, speeding, 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 197 crashes.
| Ottawa | Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 34% | 41% | below the Michigan share |
| At or near an intersection | 39% | 29% | above the Michigan share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 24% | 26% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| A drinking driver | 25% | 28% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Speeding | 19% | 25% | below the Michigan share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 9.1% | 5.9% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 25% | 38% | below the Michigan share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.5% | 6.5% | below the Michigan share |
| A motorcycle involved | 12% | 16% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.1% | 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 Ottawa County, Michigan
- How many people died in car accidents in Ottawa County in 2024?
- 17 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Ottawa County, Michigan, in 2024, the same as in 2023. That is 5.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Ottawa County?
- US 31 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Ottawa County from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 21 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Ottawa County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Ottawa County involved a drinking driver?
- 49 of 197 fatal crashes in Ottawa 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
- Saginaw County
- St. Clair County
- Jackson County
All fatal crashes in Michigan, with every county ranked.
Where the Ottawa County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Ottawa County (county code 139). 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/ottawa-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”