Fatal crashes in St. Louis County, Minnesota
In 2024, 25 people died in 21 fatal crashes in St. Louis County, Minnesota, 3.8% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 167 fatal crashes and 183 deaths, the 5th most of 87 counties in Minnesota.
12.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.2 across Minnesota in 2024; 9.2 against 7.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 200,794, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Minnesota.
Deaths in St. Louis County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 21 | 25 |
| 2023 | 22 | 26 |
| 2022 | 14 | 15 |
| 2021 | 18 | 19 |
| 2020 | 19 | 20 |
| 2019 | 9 | 9 |
| 2018 | 16 | 18 |
| 2017 | 14 | 16 |
| 2016 | 18 | 19 |
| 2015 | 16 | 16 |
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. Louis County
US 53 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in St. Louis County from 2015 to 2024: 13, with 14 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 29% of all fatal crashes in St. Louis County from 2015 to 2024; 3 US routes, 3 state highways. 42% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 58% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 53 | 13 | 14 | 4 | no page |
| 2 | US 169 | 11 | 13 | 3 | |
| 3 | US 2 | 7 | 11 | 1 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 135 | 7 | 9 | 1 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 194 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 37 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Duluth had 21% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 35 of 167.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Duluth 35, Hibbing 11, Hermantown 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 St. Louis County
The heaviest slot is Thursday, 4 to 8 pm, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. 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 | 4.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.4%
- Feb4.8%
- Mar3.0%
- Apr6.6%
- May10.8%
- Jun10.2%
- Jul10.2%
- Aug7.8%
- Sep12.0%
- Oct11.4%
- Nov11.4%
- Dec6.6%
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. Louis 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 24%, a rollover in 17%, a pedestrian in 9.6%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 67 | 40% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 40 | 24% |
| Rollover | 28 | 17% |
| Pedestrian | 16 | 9.6% |
| Other | 12 | 7.2% |
| Cyclist | 4 | 2.4% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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. Louis County compare with Minnesota
The largest difference from Minnesota: from 2015 to 2024, 22% of fatal crashes in St. Louis County were at or near an intersection, against 33% across Minnesota. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Minnesota. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 167 crashes.
| St. Louis | Minnesota | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 63% | 58% | about the same as the Minnesota share |
| At or near an intersection | 22% | 33% | below the Minnesota share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 23% | 21% | about the same as the Minnesota share |
| A drinking driver | 35% | 30% | about the same as the Minnesota share |
| Speeding | 25% | 27% | about the same as the Minnesota share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.6% | 8.0% | about the same as the Minnesota share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 39% | 38% | about the same as the Minnesota share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.6% | 3.3% | about the same as the Minnesota share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 16% | about the same as the Minnesota share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 9.3% | 11% | about the same as the Minnesota 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. Louis County, Minnesota
- How many people died in car accidents in St. Louis County in 2024?
- 25 people died in 21 fatal crashes in St. Louis County, Minnesota, in 2024, 3.8% fewer than in 2023. That is 12.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.2 across Minnesota. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in St. Louis County?
- US 53 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in St. Louis County from 2015 to 2024: 13, with 14 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in St. Louis County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Thursday, 4 to 8 pm, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in St. Louis County involved a drinking driver?
- 59 of 167 fatal crashes in St. Louis County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 35%, against 30% across Minnesota.
Other counties in Minnesota with a page
- Hennepin County
- Ramsey County
- Anoka County
- Dakota County
- Stearns County
- Washington County
- Sherburne County
- Olmsted County
- Wright County
- Scott County
- Crow Wing County
- Cass County
All fatal crashes in Minnesota, with every county ranked.
Where the St. Louis County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in St. Louis County (county code 137). 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/minnesota/st-louis-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”