Fatal crashes in Franklin County, Missouri
In 2024, 19 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Franklin County, 5.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 187 fatal crashes and 211 deaths, the 8th most of any county in Missouri.
17.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.3 across Missouri in 2024; 20.2 against 15.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 107,256, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Missouri.
Deaths in Franklin County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 | 19 |
| 2023 | 18 | 20 |
| 2022 | 22 | 26 |
| 2021 | 14 | 14 |
| 2020 | 16 | 17 |
| 2019 | 26 | 32 |
| 2018 | 23 | 26 |
| 2017 | 14 | 14 |
| 2016 | 18 | 21 |
| 2015 | 20 | 22 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Franklin County
I-44 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Franklin County from 2015 to 2024: 38, with 49 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 56% of all fatal crashes in Franklin County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 4 state highways. 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 | I-44 | 38 | 49 | 16 | |
| 2 | State Highway 47 | 22 | 28 | 2 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 100 | 18 | 19 | 6 | |
| 4 | US 50 | 14 | 15 | 6 | |
| 5 | State Highway 30 | 7 | 7 | 0 | |
| 6 | State Highway 185 | 6 | 7 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Union 11, Sullivan 10, Washington 6, St. Clair 6. 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 Franklin County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 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 | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.0%
- Feb4.8%
- Mar6.4%
- Apr7.0%
- May8.0%
- Jun14.4%
- Jul10.7%
- Aug10.2%
- Sep8.0%
- Oct8.0%
- Nov6.4%
- Dec8.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Franklin 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 36%, a rollover in 12%, a pedestrian in 8.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 74 | 40% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 67 | 36% |
| Rollover | 22 | 12% |
| Pedestrian | 15 | 8.0% |
| Other | 7 | 3.7% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.5% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.5% |
| 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 Franklin County compare with Missouri
A drinking driver was recorded in 32% of fatal crashes in Franklin County from 2015 to 2024, above the Missouri share of 28%; speeding in 36%, about the Missouri share; a hit-and-run in 1.6%, below the Missouri share of 5.2%; a driver recorded as distracted in 17%, above the Missouri share of 8.9%; 61% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Missouri share of 63%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Missouri. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Franklin | Missouri | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 66% | 52% | above the Missouri share |
| At or near an intersection | 9.6% | 21% | below the Missouri share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 33% | 28% | above the Missouri share |
| A drinking driver | 32% | 28% | above the Missouri share |
| Speeding | 36% | 37% | about the same as the Missouri share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 17% | 8.9% | above the Missouri share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 61% | 63% | below the Missouri share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.6% | 5.2% | below the Missouri share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 15% | above the Missouri share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 7.6% | 12% | below 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 Franklin County
- How many people died in car accidents in Franklin County in 2024?
- 19 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Franklin County, Missouri, in 2024, 5.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 17.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.3 across Missouri.
- What is the deadliest road in Franklin County?
- I-44 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Franklin County from 2015 to 2024: 38, with 49 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Franklin County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Franklin County involved a drinking driver?
- 59 of 187 fatal crashes in Franklin County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 32%, 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
- Boone County
- Jasper County
- Newton County
- Cass County
- St. Francois County
All fatal crashes in Missouri, with every county ranked.
Where the Franklin County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Franklin County (county code 71). 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.