Fatal crashes in Polk County, Missouri
In 2024, 5 people died in 5 fatal crashes in Polk County, the same as in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 53 fatal crashes and 56 deaths.
Deaths in Polk County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 | 6 |
| 2021 | 8 | 8 |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 | 2 |
| 2018 | 8 | 10 |
| 2017 | 4 | 4 |
| 2016 | 6 | 6 |
| 2015 | 8 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Polk County
State Highway 13 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 19 deaths. The 2 roads listed held 42% of all fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024; 2 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 | State Highway 13 | 17 | 19 | 5 | |
| 2 | State Highway 32 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Bolivar 7. 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 Polk County
Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 7.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.7%
- Feb3.8%
- Mar11.3%
- Apr7.5%
- May9.4%
- Jun11.3%
- Jul7.5%
- Aug11.3%
- Sep3.8%
- Oct11.3%
- Nov9.4%
- 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 Polk 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 26%, a rollover in 17%, a pedestrian in 1.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 21 | 40% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 14 | 26% |
| Rollover | 9 | 17% |
| Other | 8 | 15% |
| Pedestrian | 1 | 1.9% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Polk County compare with Missouri
A drinking driver was recorded in 13% of fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024, below the Missouri share of 28%; speeding in 32%, below the Missouri share of 37%; a hit-and-run in 0.0%, below the Missouri share of 5.2%; a driver recorded as distracted in 17%, above the Missouri share of 8.9%; 56% 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.
| Polk | Missouri | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 93% | 52% | above the Missouri share |
| At or near an intersection | 19% | 21% | below the Missouri share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 25% | 28% | below the Missouri share |
| A drinking driver | 13% | 28% | below the Missouri share |
| Speeding | 32% | 37% | below the Missouri share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 17% | 8.9% | above the Missouri share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 56% | 63% | below the Missouri share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 5.2% | below the Missouri share |
| A motorcycle involved | 17% | 15% | above the Missouri share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 1.8% | 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 Polk County
- How many people died in car accidents in Polk County in 2024?
- 5 people died in 5 fatal crashes in Polk County, Missouri, in 2024, the same as in 2023.
- What is the deadliest road in Polk County?
- State Highway 13 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 19 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Polk County involved a drinking driver?
- 7 of 53 fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 13%, 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 Polk County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Polk County (county code 167). 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.