Fatal crashes in Lake County, Montana
In 2024, 9 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Lake County, Montana, up from 8 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 86 fatal crashes and 90 deaths, the 7th most of 55 counties in Montana.
Deaths in Lake County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 9 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 |
| 2022 | 10 | 11 |
| 2021 | 10 | 10 |
| 2020 | 10 | 10 |
| 2019 | 8 | 10 |
| 2018 | 9 | 9 |
| 2017 | 9 | 9 |
| 2016 | 8 | 8 |
| 2015 | 6 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Lake County
US 93 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lake County from 2015 to 2024: 41, with 45 deaths. The 2 roads listed held 55% of all fatal crashes in Lake County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 1 state highway. 63% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 37% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 93 | 41 | 45 | 16 | |
| 2 | State Highway 83 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 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 Lake County
86 fatal crashes in Lake County, Montana 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 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 | 7.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 7.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 7.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan10.5%
- Feb2.3%
- Mar10.5%
- Apr2.3%
- May11.6%
- Jun12.8%
- Jul12.8%
- Aug5.8%
- Sep5.8%
- Oct10.5%
- Nov7.0%
- Dec8.1%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Lake County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 37%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 26%, a rollover in 15%, a pedestrian in 9.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 32 | 37% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 22 | 26% |
| Rollover | 13 | 15% |
| Other | 9 | 11% |
| Pedestrian | 8 | 9.3% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 2.3% |
| 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 Lake County compare with Montana
The largest difference from Montana: from 2015 to 2024, 99% of fatal crashes in Lake County were on rural roads, against 84% across Montana. Also above the Montana share: hit-and-runs. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Montana. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 86 crashes.
| Lake | Montana | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 99% | 84% | above the Montana share |
| At or near an intersection | 14% | 15% | about the same as the Montana share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 35% | 35% | about the same as the Montana share |
| A drinking driver | 50% | 44% | about the same as the Montana share |
| Speeding | 30% | 36% | about the same as the Montana share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.7% | 8.7% | about the same as the Montana share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 64% | 64% | about the same as the Montana share |
| Hit-and-run | 7.0% | 2.7% | above the Montana share |
| A motorcycle involved | 12% | 14% | about the same as the Montana share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.9% | 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 Lake County, Montana
- How many people died in car accidents in Lake County in 2024?
- 9 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Lake County, Montana, in 2024, up from 8 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Lake County?
- US 93 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lake County from 2015 to 2024: 41, with 45 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Lake County involved a drinking driver?
- 43 of 86 fatal crashes in Lake County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 50%, against 44% across Montana.
Other counties in Montana with a page
- Yellowstone County
- Flathead County
- Missoula County
- Big Horn County
- Gallatin County
- Cascade County
- Lewis and Clark County
All fatal crashes in Montana, with every county ranked.
Where the Lake County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Lake County (county code 47). 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/montana/lake-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”