Fatal crashes in Big Horn County, Montana
In 2024, 10 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Big Horn County, 11.1% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 109 fatal crashes and 130 deaths, the 4th most of any county in Montana.
78.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.1 across Montana in 2024; 98.9 against 18.9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 12,796, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Montana.
Deaths in Big Horn County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 10 |
| 2023 | 9 | 9 |
| 2022 | 16 | 21 |
| 2021 | 9 | 9 |
| 2020 | 13 | 16 |
| 2019 | 11 | 16 |
| 2018 | 11 | 12 |
| 2017 | 11 | 13 |
| 2016 | 12 | 13 |
| 2015 | 10 | 11 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Big Horn County
I-90 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Big Horn County from 2015 to 2024: 23, with 27 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 56% of all fatal crashes in Big Horn County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 3 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-90 | 23 | 27 | 13 | |
| 2 | US 212 | 19 | 24 | 6 | |
| 3 | State Highway 451 | 9 | 10 | 0 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 314 | 5 | 7 | 0 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 313 | 5 | 6 | 0 | no page |
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 Big Horn 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 | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 7.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.5%
- Feb2.8%
- Mar6.4%
- Apr6.4%
- May11.0%
- Jun10.1%
- Jul14.7%
- Aug15.6%
- Sep4.6%
- Oct6.4%
- Nov10.1%
- Dec6.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Big Horn County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 32%; a collision with another vehicle in 26%, a rollover in 23%, a pedestrian in 9.2%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 35 | 32% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 28 | 26% |
| Rollover | 25 | 23% |
| Other | 11 | 10% |
| Pedestrian | 10 | 9.2% |
| 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 Big Horn County compare with Montana
A drinking driver was recorded in 51% of fatal crashes in Big Horn County from 2015 to 2024, above the Montana share of 44%; speeding in 25%, below the Montana share of 36%; a hit-and-run in 4.6%, above the Montana share of 2.7%; a driver recorded as distracted in 11%, above the Montana share of 8.7%; 78% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the Montana share of 64%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Montana. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Big Horn | Montana | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 97% | 84% | above the Montana share |
| At or near an intersection | 7.3% | 15% | below the Montana share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 46% | 35% | above the Montana share |
| A drinking driver | 51% | 44% | above the Montana share |
| Speeding | 25% | 36% | below the Montana share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 11% | 8.7% | above the Montana share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 78% | 64% | above the Montana share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.6% | 2.7% | above the Montana share |
| A motorcycle involved | 3.7% | 14% | below the Montana share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 10% | 7.5% | above the Montana 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 Big Horn County
- How many people died in car accidents in Big Horn County in 2024?
- 10 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Big Horn County, Montana, in 2024, 11.1% more than in 2023. That is 78.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.1 across Montana.
- What is the deadliest road in Big Horn County?
- I-90 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Big Horn County from 2015 to 2024: 23, with 27 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Big Horn County involved a drinking driver?
- 55 of 109 fatal crashes in Big Horn County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 51%, against 44% across Montana.
Other counties in Montana with a page
- Yellowstone County
- Flathead County
- Missoula County
- Gallatin County
- Cascade County
- Lake County
- Lewis and Clark County
All fatal crashes in Montana, with every county ranked.
Where the Big Horn County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Big Horn County (county code 3). 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.