Fatal crashes in Buffalo County, Nebraska
In 2024, 9 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Buffalo County, 12.5% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 54 fatal crashes and 60 deaths, the 6th most of any county in Nebraska.
Deaths in Buffalo County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 9 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 |
| 2022 | 4 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 | 5 |
| 2018 | 6 | 7 |
| 2017 | 5 | 6 |
| 2016 | 7 | 9 |
| 2015 | 5 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Buffalo County
I-80 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Buffalo County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 19 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 57% of all fatal crashes in Buffalo 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 | I-80 | 15 | 19 | 6 | |
| 2 | US 30 | 8 | 9 | 2 | |
| 3 | State Highway 10 | 8 | 8 | 4 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Kearney 6. 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 Buffalo 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 | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 6.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan3.7%
- Feb13.0%
- Mar11.1%
- Apr3.7%
- May3.7%
- Jun7.4%
- Jul7.4%
- Aug7.4%
- Sep5.6%
- Oct11.1%
- Nov13.0%
- Dec13.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Buffalo County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 43%; a rollover in 19%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 19%, a pedestrian in 9.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 23 | 43% |
| Rollover | 10 | 19% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 10 | 19% |
| Pedestrian | 5 | 9.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 5.6% |
| Other | 2 | 3.7% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.9% |
| 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 Buffalo County compare with Nebraska
A drinking driver was recorded in 24% of fatal crashes in Buffalo County from 2015 to 2024, below the Nebraska share of 33%; speeding in 9.3%, below the Nebraska share of 18%; a hit-and-run in 1.9%, about the Nebraska share; a driver recorded as distracted in 1.9%, below the Nebraska share of 5.8%; 60% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Nebraska share of 64%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Nebraska. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Buffalo | Nebraska | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 83% | 69% | above the Nebraska share |
| At or near an intersection | 15% | 29% | below the Nebraska share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 42% | 25% | above the Nebraska share |
| A drinking driver | 24% | 33% | below the Nebraska share |
| Speeding | 9.3% | 18% | below the Nebraska share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 1.9% | 5.8% | below the Nebraska share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 60% | 64% | below the Nebraska share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.9% | 2.8% | about the same as the Nebraska share |
| A motorcycle involved | 1.9% | 12% | below the Nebraska share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 10% | 7.8% | above the Nebraska 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 Buffalo County
- How many people died in car accidents in Buffalo County in 2024?
- 9 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Buffalo County, Nebraska, in 2024, 12.5% more than in 2023.
- What is the deadliest road in Buffalo County?
- I-80 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Buffalo County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 19 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Buffalo County involved a drinking driver?
- 13 of 54 fatal crashes in Buffalo County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 24%, against 33% across Nebraska.
Other counties in Nebraska with a page
All fatal crashes in Nebraska, with every county ranked.
Where the Buffalo County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Buffalo County (county code 19). 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.