Fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County, Montana
In 2024, 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County, 25.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 73 fatal crashes and 77 deaths, the 8th most of any county in Montana.
Deaths in Lewis and Clark County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 6 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 |
| 2022 | 6 | 6 |
| 2021 | 9 | 9 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 |
| 2019 | 6 | 6 |
| 2018 | 7 | 7 |
| 2017 | 10 | 11 |
| 2016 | 4 | 4 |
| 2015 | 12 | 15 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Lewis and Clark County
US 12 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lewis and Clark County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 16 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 38% of all fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 1 state highway. 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 12 | 15 | 16 | 3 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 200 | 8 | 8 | 3 | |
| 3 | I-15 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Helena 15. 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 Lewis and Clark 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 | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.5%
- Feb8.2%
- Mar1.4%
- Apr5.5%
- May8.2%
- Jun5.5%
- Jul19.2%
- Aug9.6%
- Sep12.3%
- Oct11.0%
- Nov8.2%
- Dec5.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 33%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 32%, a pedestrian in 12%, a rollover in 11%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 24 | 33% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 23 | 32% |
| Pedestrian | 9 | 12% |
| Rollover | 8 | 11% |
| Other | 8 | 11% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.4% |
| 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 Lewis and Clark County compare with Montana
A drinking driver was recorded in 33% of fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County from 2015 to 2024, below the Montana share of 44%; speeding in 34%, below the Montana share of 36%; a hit-and-run in 1.4%, below the Montana share of 2.7%; a driver recorded as distracted in 9.6%, about the Montana share; 68% 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.
| Lewis and Clark | Montana | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 66% | 84% | below the Montana share |
| At or near an intersection | 32% | 15% | above the Montana share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 33% | 35% | below the Montana share |
| A drinking driver | 33% | 44% | below the Montana share |
| Speeding | 34% | 36% | below the Montana share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 9.6% | 8.7% | about the same as the Montana share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 68% | 64% | above the Montana share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.4% | 2.7% | below the Montana share |
| A motorcycle involved | 21% | 14% | above the Montana share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 14% | 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 Lewis and Clark County
- How many people died in car accidents in Lewis and Clark County in 2024?
- 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, in 2024, 25.0% fewer than in 2023.
- What is the deadliest road in Lewis and Clark County?
- US 12 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lewis and Clark County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 16 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County involved a drinking driver?
- 24 of 73 fatal crashes in Lewis and Clark County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 33%, against 44% across Montana.
Other counties in Montana with a page
- Yellowstone County
- Flathead County
- Missoula County
- Big Horn County
- Gallatin County
- Cascade County
- Lake County
All fatal crashes in Montana, with every county ranked.
Where the Lewis and Clark County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Lewis and Clark County (county code 49). 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.