Fatal crashes in DeSoto County, Mississippi
In 2024, 21 people died in 18 fatal crashes in DeSoto County, Mississippi, 5.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 205 fatal crashes and 223 deaths, the 4th most of 82 counties in Mississippi.
10.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 25.6 across Mississippi in 2024; 12 against 23.8 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 195,871, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Mississippi.
Deaths in DeSoto County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 | 21 |
| 2023 | 18 | 20 |
| 2022 | 13 | 13 |
| 2021 | 28 | 29 |
| 2020 | 21 | 23 |
| 2019 | 15 | 16 |
| 2018 | 26 | 31 |
| 2017 | 21 | 22 |
| 2016 | 24 | 24 |
| 2015 | 21 | 24 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in DeSoto County
I-55 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in DeSoto County from 2015 to 2024: 33, with 39 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 57% of all fatal crashes in DeSoto County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 US routes, 3 state highways. 62% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 38% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-55 | 33 | 39 | 8 | |
| 2 | State Highway 302 | 30 | 31 | 11 | |
| 3 | US 78 | 15 | 16 | 3 | no page |
| 4 | US 61 | 12 | 13 | 3 | |
| 5 | State Highway 305 | 9 | 9 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | US 51 | 7 | 8 | 3 | |
| 7 | State Highway 178 | 6 | 6 | 1 | no page |
| 8 | I-269 | 5 | 7 | 1 | no page |
Olive Branch had 20% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 42 of 205.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Olive Branch 42, Southaven 39, Hernando 12, Horn Lake 12. 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 DeSoto County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 10 pm to 11 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 | 3.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.4%
- Feb6.3%
- Mar6.3%
- Apr8.3%
- May8.8%
- Jun13.7%
- Jul10.2%
- Aug8.3%
- Sep8.3%
- Oct12.2%
- Nov5.9%
- Dec6.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in DeSoto County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 42%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 34%, a pedestrian in 15%, a rollover in 7.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 87 | 42% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 69 | 34% |
| Pedestrian | 30 | 15% |
| Rollover | 15 | 7.3% |
| Other | 3 | 1.5% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.5% |
| Cyclist | 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 DeSoto County compare with Mississippi
The largest difference from Mississippi: from 2015 to 2024, 42% of fatal crashes in DeSoto County were on rural roads, against 70% across Mississippi. Also above the Mississippi share: intersections, speeding and motorcycles. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Mississippi. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 205 crashes.
| DeSoto | Mississippi | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 42% | 70% | below the Mississippi share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 15% | above the Mississippi share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 31% | 35% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| A drinking driver | 18% | 19% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Speeding | 22% | 15% | above the Mississippi share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 2.4% | 1.7% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 52% | 53% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.4% | 3.6% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| A motorcycle involved | 16% | 7.3% | above the Mississippi share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 15% | 12% | about the same as the Mississippi 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 DeSoto County, Mississippi
- How many people died in car accidents in DeSoto County in 2024?
- 21 people died in 18 fatal crashes in DeSoto County, Mississippi, in 2024, 5.0% more than in 2023. That is 10.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 25.6 across Mississippi. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in DeSoto County?
- I-55 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in DeSoto County from 2015 to 2024: 33, with 39 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in DeSoto County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in DeSoto County involved a drinking driver?
- 36 of 205 fatal crashes in DeSoto County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 18%, against 19% across Mississippi.
Other counties in Mississippi with a page
- Hinds County
- Harrison County
- Jackson County
- Rankin County
- Lee County
- Lauderdale County
- Forrest County
- Marshall County
- Pearl River County
- Washington County
- Madison County
- Jones County
All fatal crashes in Mississippi, with every county ranked.
Where the DeSoto County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in DeSoto County (county code 33). 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/mississippi/desoto-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”