Fatal crashes in Washtenaw County, Michigan
In 2024, 35 people died in 32 fatal crashes in Washtenaw County, 59.1% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 260 fatal crashes and 282 deaths, the 7th most of any county in Michigan.
9.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan in 2024; 7.7 against 10.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 373,875, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Michigan.
Deaths in Washtenaw County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 | 35 |
| 2023 | 20 | 22 |
| 2022 | 21 | 24 |
| 2021 | 28 | 30 |
| 2020 | 23 | 26 |
| 2019 | 24 | 26 |
| 2018 | 25 | 27 |
| 2017 | 37 | 39 |
| 2016 | 24 | 26 |
| 2015 | 26 | 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 Washtenaw County
I-94 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Washtenaw County from 2015 to 2024: 32, with 36 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 34% of all fatal crashes in Washtenaw County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 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 | 32 | 36 | 8 | |
| 2 | US 23 | 21 | 24 | 3 | |
| 3 | US 12 | 19 | 22 | 5 | |
| 4 | State Highway 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 17 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 12 | 5 | 5 | 4 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Ann Arbor 33, Northfield Township 12, Salem 9, Ypsilanti 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 Washtenaw County
The heaviest slot is Wednesday, 4 to 8 pm, with 14 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 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 | 2.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.5%
- Feb5.8%
- Mar5.8%
- Apr6.5%
- May8.8%
- Jun9.2%
- Jul11.5%
- Aug9.6%
- Sep7.7%
- Oct10.8%
- Nov9.2%
- Dec6.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Washtenaw County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 39%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 28%, a pedestrian in 12%, a rollover in 6.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 101 | 39% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 72 | 28% |
| Pedestrian | 32 | 12% |
| Rollover | 18 | 6.9% |
| Cyclist | 16 | 6.2% |
| Other | 15 | 5.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 6 | 2.3% |
| 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 Washtenaw County compare with Michigan
A drinking driver was recorded in 30% of fatal crashes in Washtenaw County from 2015 to 2024, above the Michigan share of 28%; speeding in 26%, about the Michigan share; a hit-and-run in 5.4%, below the Michigan share of 6.5%; a driver recorded as distracted in 9.2%, above the Michigan share of 5.9%; 39% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, about the Michigan share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Michigan. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Washtenaw | Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 32% | 41% | below the Michigan share |
| At or near an intersection | 19% | 29% | below the Michigan share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 39% | 26% | above the Michigan share |
| A drinking driver | 30% | 28% | above the Michigan share |
| Speeding | 26% | 25% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 9.2% | 5.9% | above the Michigan share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 39% | 38% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.4% | 6.5% | below the Michigan share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 16% | below the Michigan share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 14% | 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 Washtenaw County
- How many people died in car accidents in Washtenaw County in 2024?
- 35 people died in 32 fatal crashes in Washtenaw County, Michigan, in 2024, 59.1% more than in 2023. That is 9.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan.
- What is the deadliest road in Washtenaw County?
- I-94 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Washtenaw County from 2015 to 2024: 32, with 36 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Washtenaw County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Wednesday, 4 to 8 pm, with 14 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Washtenaw County involved a drinking driver?
- 78 of 260 fatal crashes in Washtenaw County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 30%, against 28% across Michigan.
Other counties in Michigan with a page
- Wayne County
- Oakland County
- Kent County
- Macomb County
- Genesee County
- Kalamazoo 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 Washtenaw County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Washtenaw County (county code 161). 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.