Fatal crashes in Butler County, Missouri
In 2024, 14 people died in 11 fatal crashes in Butler County, Missouri, up from 9 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 93 fatal crashes and 102 deaths, the 22nd most of 115 counties in Missouri.
33.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.3 across Missouri in 2024; 24.1 against 15.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 41,814, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Missouri.
Deaths in Butler County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | 14 |
| 2023 | 7 | 9 |
| 2022 | 8 | 9 |
| 2021 | 12 | 12 |
| 2020 | 13 | 14 |
| 2019 | 8 | 8 |
| 2018 | 5 | 5 |
| 2017 | 11 | 13 |
| 2016 | 11 | 11 |
| 2015 | 7 | 7 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Butler County
US 67 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Butler County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 18 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 48% of all fatal crashes in Butler County from 2015 to 2024; 3 US routes, 2 state highways. 80% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 20% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 67 | 15 | 18 | 2 | |
| 2 | State Highway 53 | 10 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 3 | US 60 | 8 | 8 | 2 | |
| 4 | State Highway 51 | 7 | 8 | 1 | no page |
| 5 | US 160 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Poplar Bluff had 13% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 12 of 93.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Poplar Bluff 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 Butler County
92 fatal crashes in Butler County, Missouri 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 noon to 1 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 6.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.3%
- Feb9.7%
- Mar8.6%
- Apr5.4%
- May11.8%
- Jun4.3%
- Jul6.5%
- Aug10.8%
- Sep10.8%
- Oct12.9%
- Nov7.5%
- Dec7.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Butler County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 37%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 25%, a pedestrian in 19%, a rollover in 12%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 34 | 37% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 23 | 25% |
| Pedestrian | 18 | 19% |
| Rollover | 11 | 12% |
| Other | 6 | 6.5% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.1% |
| 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 Butler County compare with Missouri
The largest difference from Missouri: from 2015 to 2024, 78% of fatal crashes in Butler County were on rural roads, against 52% across Missouri. Also above the Missouri share: unlit roads at night. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Missouri. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 93 crashes.
| Butler | Missouri | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 78% | 52% | above the Missouri share |
| At or near an intersection | 23% | 21% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 41% | 28% | above the Missouri share |
| A drinking driver | 19% | 28% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| Speeding | 32% | 37% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 8.6% | 8.9% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 62% | 63% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.2% | 5.2% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 15% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 18% | 12% | about the same as the Missouri 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 Butler County, Missouri
- How many people died in car accidents in Butler County in 2024?
- 14 people died in 11 fatal crashes in Butler County, Missouri, in 2024, up from 9 in 2023. That is 33.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.3 across Missouri. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Butler County?
- US 67 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Butler County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 18 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Butler County involved a drinking driver?
- 18 of 93 fatal crashes in Butler County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 19%, against 28% across Missouri.
Other counties in Missouri with a page
- Jackson County
- St. Louis County
- St. Louis city
- Greene County
- Jefferson County
- St. Charles County
- Clay County
- Franklin County
- Boone County
- Jasper County
- Newton County
- Cass County
All fatal crashes in Missouri, with every county ranked.
Where the Butler County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Butler County (county code 23). 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/missouri/butler-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”