Fatal crashes in Cole County, Missouri
In 2024, 3 people died in 3 fatal crashes in Cole County, Missouri, down from 5 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 63 fatal crashes and 68 deaths, the 36th most of 115 counties in Missouri.
Deaths in Cole County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 | 5 |
| 2022 | 7 | 7 |
| 2021 | 7 | 7 |
| 2020 | 11 | 11 |
| 2019 | 10 | 14 |
| 2018 | 4 | 4 |
| 2017 | 4 | 4 |
| 2016 | 8 | 8 |
| 2015 | 5 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Cole County
US 54 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Cole County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 18 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 54% of all fatal crashes in Cole County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 1 state highway. 73% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 27% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
Jefferson City had 35% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 22 of 63.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Jefferson City 22. 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 Cole County
63 fatal crashes in Cole 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 6 am to 7 am; 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 | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.3%
- Feb3.2%
- Mar3.2%
- Apr9.5%
- May11.1%
- Jun11.1%
- Jul7.9%
- Aug3.2%
- Sep12.7%
- Oct14.3%
- Nov7.9%
- Dec9.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Cole County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 41%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 33%, a pedestrian in 6.3%, a rollover in 4.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 26 | 41% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 21 | 33% |
| Other | 7 | 11% |
| Pedestrian | 4 | 6.3% |
| Rollover | 3 | 4.8% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 3.2% |
| 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 Cole County compare with Missouri
From 2015 to 2024, every share for Cole County is within chance of the Missouri share. 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 63 crashes.
| Cole | Missouri | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 46% | 52% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| At or near an intersection | 25% | 21% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 31% | 28% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| A drinking driver | 27% | 28% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| Speeding | 30% | 37% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 9.5% | 8.9% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 61% | 63% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.6% | 5.2% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 15% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 5.9% | 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 Cole County, Missouri
- How many people died in car accidents in Cole County in 2024?
- 3 people died in 3 fatal crashes in Cole County, Missouri, in 2024, down from 5 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Cole County?
- US 54 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Cole County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 18 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Cole County involved a drinking driver?
- 17 of 63 fatal crashes in Cole County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 27%, 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 Cole County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Cole County (county code 51). 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/cole-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”