Fatal crashes in Missoula County, Montana
In 2024, 15 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Missoula County, 34.8% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 147 fatal crashes and 165 deaths, the 3rd most of any county in Montana.
12.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.1 across Montana in 2024; 13.9 against 18.9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 122,546, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Montana.
Deaths in Missoula County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 15 |
| 2023 | 21 | 23 |
| 2022 | 18 | 24 |
| 2021 | 17 | 18 |
| 2020 | 14 | 16 |
| 2019 | 9 | 9 |
| 2018 | 8 | 8 |
| 2017 | 16 | 17 |
| 2016 | 15 | 20 |
| 2015 | 15 | 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 Missoula County
US 93 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Missoula County from 2015 to 2024: 31, with 36 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 51% of all fatal crashes in Missoula County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 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 93 | 31 | 36 | 16 | |
| 2 | I-90 | 26 | 28 | 6 | |
| 3 | State Highway 200 | 8 | 8 | 2 | |
| 4 | State Highway 83 | 5 | 6 | 1 | no page |
| 5 | US 12 | 5 | 5 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Missoula 37. 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 Missoula County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 10 pm to 11 pm; the worst month is September.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.8%
- Feb4.1%
- Mar6.8%
- Apr6.1%
- May8.2%
- Jun6.8%
- Jul12.2%
- Aug10.2%
- Sep15.6%
- Oct9.5%
- Nov8.8%
- Dec6.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Missoula 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 29%, a pedestrian in 16%, a rollover in 14%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 48 | 33% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 42 | 29% |
| Pedestrian | 24 | 16% |
| Rollover | 20 | 14% |
| Other | 8 | 5.4% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 2.0% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 1.4% |
| 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 Missoula County compare with Montana
A drinking driver was recorded in 36% of fatal crashes in Missoula 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 6.1%, above the Montana share of 2.7%; a driver recorded as distracted in 11%, above the Montana share of 8.7%; 52% 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.
| Missoula | Montana | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 60% | 84% | below the Montana share |
| At or near an intersection | 19% | 15% | above the Montana share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 37% | 35% | above the Montana share |
| A drinking driver | 36% | 44% | below the Montana share |
| Speeding | 34% | 36% | below the Montana share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 11% | 8.7% | above the Montana share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 52% | 64% | below the Montana share |
| Hit-and-run | 6.1% | 2.7% | above the Montana share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 14% | below the Montana share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 15% | 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 Missoula County
- How many people died in car accidents in Missoula County in 2024?
- 15 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Missoula County, Montana, in 2024, 34.8% fewer than in 2023. That is 12.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.1 across Montana.
- What is the deadliest road in Missoula County?
- US 93 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Missoula County from 2015 to 2024: 31, with 36 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Missoula County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Missoula County involved a drinking driver?
- 53 of 147 fatal crashes in Missoula County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 36%, against 44% across Montana.
Other counties in Montana with a page
- Yellowstone County
- Flathead 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 Missoula County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Missoula County (county code 63). 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.