Fatal crashes in St. Joseph County, Michigan
In 2024, 11 people died in 9 fatal crashes in St. Joseph County, Michigan, the same as in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 105 fatal crashes and 116 deaths, the 26th most of 83 counties in Michigan.
18 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan in 2024; 19 against 10.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 61,171, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Michigan.
Deaths in St. Joseph County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 11 |
| 2023 | 10 | 11 |
| 2022 | 12 | 13 |
| 2021 | 9 | 9 |
| 2020 | 16 | 17 |
| 2019 | 7 | 9 |
| 2018 | 17 | 20 |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 |
| 2016 | 11 | 11 |
| 2015 | 4 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in St. Joseph County
US 131 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in St. Joseph County from 2015 to 2024: 18, with 22 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 44% of all fatal crashes in St. Joseph County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 3 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 | US 131 | 18 | 22 | 4 | |
| 2 | US 12 | 9 | 10 | 4 | |
| 3 | State Highway 66 | 7 | 7 | 3 | |
| 4 | State Highway 86 | 7 | 7 | 1 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 60 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Three Rivers 7. 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 St. Joseph County
105 fatal crashes in St. Joseph 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 July.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.8%
- Feb10.5%
- Mar3.8%
- Apr8.6%
- May8.6%
- Jun8.6%
- Jul13.3%
- Aug12.4%
- Sep4.8%
- Oct8.6%
- Nov8.6%
- Dec7.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in St. Joseph County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 46%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 35%, a pedestrian in 4.8%, a cyclist in 3.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 48 | 46% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 37 | 35% |
| Other | 6 | 5.7% |
| Pedestrian | 5 | 4.8% |
| Cyclist | 4 | 3.8% |
| Rollover | 4 | 3.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 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 St. Joseph County compare with Michigan
The largest difference from Michigan: from 2015 to 2024, 82% of fatal crashes in St. Joseph 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 105 crashes.
| St. Joseph | Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 82% | 41% | above the Michigan share |
| At or near an intersection | 28% | 29% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 32% | 26% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| A drinking driver | 31% | 28% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Speeding | 30% | 25% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 8.6% | 5.9% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 33% | 38% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 6.5% | below the Michigan share |
| A motorcycle involved | 11% | 16% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 4.3% | 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 St. Joseph County, Michigan
- How many people died in car accidents in St. Joseph County in 2024?
- 11 people died in 9 fatal crashes in St. Joseph County, Michigan, in 2024, the same as in 2023. That is 18 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in St. Joseph County?
- US 131 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in St. Joseph County from 2015 to 2024: 18, with 22 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in St. Joseph County involved a drinking driver?
- 32 of 105 fatal crashes in St. Joseph County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 31%, 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 St. Joseph County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in St. Joseph County (county code 149). 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/st-joseph-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”