Fatal crashes in Flathead County, Montana
In 2024, 23 people died in 23 fatal crashes in Flathead County, the same as in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 164 fatal crashes and 178 deaths, the 2nd most of any county in Montana.
20.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.1 across Montana in 2024; 16.9 against 18.9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 114,527, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Montana.
Deaths in Flathead County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23 | 23 |
| 2023 | 21 | 23 |
| 2022 | 23 | 23 |
| 2021 | 18 | 20 |
| 2020 | 19 | 19 |
| 2019 | 12 | 15 |
| 2018 | 9 | 10 |
| 2017 | 13 | 15 |
| 2016 | 14 | 18 |
| 2015 | 12 | 12 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Flathead County
US 2 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Flathead County from 2015 to 2024: 49, with 58 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 55% of all fatal crashes in Flathead County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 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 | US 2 | 49 | 58 | 26 | |
| 2 | US 93 | 23 | 23 | 12 | |
| 3 | State Highway 35 | 14 | 15 | 5 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 83 | 5 | 5 | 5 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Kalispell 10. 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 Flathead County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 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 | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.3%
- Feb4.3%
- Mar6.7%
- Apr6.1%
- May6.1%
- Jun12.2%
- Jul12.2%
- Aug9.8%
- Sep12.2%
- Oct9.8%
- Nov9.8%
- Dec6.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Flathead County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 46%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 23%, a rollover in 16%, a pedestrian in 9.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 75 | 46% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 37 | 23% |
| Rollover | 26 | 16% |
| Pedestrian | 15 | 9.1% |
| Other | 9 | 5.5% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 1.2% |
| 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 Flathead County compare with Montana
A drinking driver was recorded in 46% of fatal crashes in Flathead County from 2015 to 2024, above the Montana share of 44%; speeding in 30%, below the Montana share of 36%; a hit-and-run in 2.4%, about the Montana share; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.5%, below the Montana share of 8.7%; 46% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below 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.
| Flathead | Montana | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 84% | 84% | about the same as the Montana share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 15% | above the Montana share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 36% | 35% | about the same as the Montana share |
| A drinking driver | 46% | 44% | above the Montana share |
| Speeding | 30% | 36% | below the Montana share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.5% | 8.7% | below the Montana share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 46% | 64% | below the Montana share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.4% | 2.7% | about the same as the Montana share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 14% | above the Montana share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.4% | 7.5% | about the same as 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 Flathead County
- How many people died in car accidents in Flathead County in 2024?
- 23 people died in 23 fatal crashes in Flathead County, Montana, in 2024, the same as in 2023. That is 20.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.1 across Montana.
- What is the deadliest road in Flathead County?
- US 2 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Flathead County from 2015 to 2024: 49, with 58 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Flathead County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Flathead County involved a drinking driver?
- 76 of 164 fatal crashes in Flathead County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 46%, against 44% across Montana.
Other counties in Montana with a page
- Yellowstone County
- Missoula County
- Big Horn County
- Gallatin County
- Cascade County
- Lake County
- Lewis and Clark County
All fatal crashes in Montana, with every county ranked.
Where the Flathead County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Flathead County (county code 29). 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.