Fatal crashes in Forrest County, Mississippi
In 2024, 27 people died in 25 fatal crashes in Forrest County, 28.6% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 161 fatal crashes and 173 deaths, the 8th most of any county in Mississippi.
34.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 25.6 across Mississippi in 2024; 22.5 against 23.8 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 78,435, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Mississippi.
Deaths in Forrest County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25 | 27 |
| 2023 | 19 | 21 |
| 2022 | 20 | 21 |
| 2021 | 16 | 17 |
| 2020 | 11 | 12 |
| 2019 | 13 | 15 |
| 2018 | 17 | 17 |
| 2017 | 17 | 18 |
| 2016 | 10 | 10 |
| 2015 | 13 | 15 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Forrest County
US 49 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Forrest County from 2015 to 2024: 55, with 58 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 62% of all fatal crashes in Forrest County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 3 US routes, 1 state highway. 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 | US 49 | 55 | 58 | 24 | |
| 2 | I-59 | 19 | 19 | 7 | |
| 3 | US 98 | 9 | 12 | 2 | |
| 4 | State Highway 42 | 9 | 10 | 5 | no page |
| 5 | US 11 | 8 | 9 | 3 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Hattiesburg 76. 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 Forrest County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is May.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan11.8%
- Feb5.0%
- Mar8.1%
- Apr5.6%
- May13.0%
- Jun6.2%
- Jul7.5%
- Aug6.2%
- Sep6.8%
- Oct8.1%
- Nov11.8%
- 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 Forrest 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 30%, a pedestrian in 19%, a rollover in 8.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 63 | 39% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 49 | 30% |
| Pedestrian | 30 | 19% |
| Rollover | 13 | 8.1% |
| Other | 4 | 2.5% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.6% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.6% |
| 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 Forrest County compare with Mississippi
A drinking driver was recorded in 11% of fatal crashes in Forrest County from 2015 to 2024, below the Mississippi share of 19%; speeding in 9.3%, below the Mississippi share of 15%; a hit-and-run in 6.8%, above the Mississippi share of 3.6%; a driver recorded as distracted in 1.2%, about the Mississippi share; 46% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Mississippi share of 53%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Mississippi. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Forrest | Mississippi | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 40% | 70% | below the Mississippi share |
| At or near an intersection | 18% | 15% | above the Mississippi share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 33% | 35% | below the Mississippi share |
| A drinking driver | 11% | 19% | below the Mississippi share |
| Speeding | 9.3% | 15% | below the Mississippi share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 1.2% | 1.7% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 46% | 53% | below the Mississippi share |
| Hit-and-run | 6.8% | 3.6% | above the Mississippi share |
| A motorcycle involved | 8.1% | 7.3% | about the same as the Mississippi share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 17% | 12% | above 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 Forrest County
- How many people died in car accidents in Forrest County in 2024?
- 27 people died in 25 fatal crashes in Forrest County, Mississippi, in 2024, 28.6% more than in 2023. That is 34.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 25.6 across Mississippi.
- What is the deadliest road in Forrest County?
- US 49 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Forrest County from 2015 to 2024: 55, with 58 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Forrest County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Forrest County involved a drinking driver?
- 18 of 161 fatal crashes in Forrest County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 11%, against 19% across Mississippi.
Other counties in Mississippi with a page
- Hinds County
- Harrison County
- Jackson County
- DeSoto County
- Rankin County
- Lee County
- Lauderdale County
- Marshall County
- Pearl River County
- Washington County
- Madison County
- Jones County
All fatal crashes in Mississippi, with every county ranked.
Where the Forrest County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Forrest County (county code 35). 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.