Fatal crashes in Van Buren County, Michigan
In 2024, 11 people died in 11 fatal crashes in Van Buren County, Michigan, down from 12 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 131 fatal crashes and 146 deaths, the 20th most of 83 counties in Michigan.
14.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan in 2024; 19.3 against 10.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 76,129, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Michigan.
Deaths in Van Buren County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | 11 |
| 2023 | 11 | 12 |
| 2022 | 10 | 10 |
| 2021 | 16 | 17 |
| 2020 | 13 | 15 |
| 2019 | 17 | 19 |
| 2018 | 10 | 12 |
| 2017 | 16 | 17 |
| 2016 | 12 | 15 |
| 2015 | 15 | 18 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Van Buren County
I-94 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Van Buren County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 17 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 27% of all fatal crashes in Van Buren County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 state highways. 36% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 64% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-94 | 16 | 17 | 3 | |
| 2 | State Highway 43 | 11 | 13 | 5 | |
| 3 | State Highway 40 | 8 | 10 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Covert 6, Keeler 6, Paw Paw 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 Van Buren County
131 fatal crashes in Van Buren 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 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is September.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.3%
- Feb6.1%
- Mar6.9%
- Apr4.6%
- May8.4%
- Jun11.5%
- Jul9.9%
- Aug10.7%
- Sep12.2%
- Oct8.4%
- Nov6.1%
- Dec9.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Van Buren 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 12%, a rollover in 6.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 52 | 40% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 46 | 35% |
| Pedestrian | 15 | 12% |
| Rollover | 9 | 6.9% |
| Other | 6 | 4.6% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 1.5% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.8% |
| 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 Van Buren County compare with Michigan
The largest difference from Michigan: from 2015 to 2024, 75% of fatal crashes in Van Buren County were on rural roads, against 41% across Michigan. Also above the Michigan share: unlit roads at night and speeding. Below it: intersections. 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 131 crashes.
| Van Buren | Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 75% | 41% | above the Michigan share |
| At or near an intersection | 18% | 29% | below the Michigan share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 36% | 26% | above the Michigan share |
| A drinking driver | 34% | 28% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Speeding | 35% | 25% | above the Michigan share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.1% | 5.9% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 38% | 38% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.3% | 6.5% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 16% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 12% | 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 Van Buren County, Michigan
- How many people died in car accidents in Van Buren County in 2024?
- 11 people died in 11 fatal crashes in Van Buren County, Michigan, in 2024, down from 12 in 2023. That is 14.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Van Buren County?
- I-94 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Van Buren County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 17 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Van Buren County involved a drinking driver?
- 45 of 131 fatal crashes in Van Buren 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
- Calhoun County
- Ottawa County
- Saginaw County
- St. Clair County
All fatal crashes in Michigan, with every county ranked.
Where the Van Buren County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Van Buren County (county code 159). 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/van-buren-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”