Fatal crashes in Lancaster County, Nebraska
In 2024, 24 people died in 22 fatal crashes in Lancaster County, Nebraska, up from 16 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 191 fatal crashes and 203 deaths, the 2nd most of 92 counties in Nebraska.
7.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.5 across Nebraska in 2024; 6.3 against 12.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 332,857, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Nebraska.
Deaths in Lancaster County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22 | 24 |
| 2023 | 16 | 16 |
| 2022 | 26 | 32 |
| 2021 | 16 | 17 |
| 2020 | 17 | 18 |
| 2019 | 24 | 24 |
| 2018 | 18 | 18 |
| 2017 | 17 | 18 |
| 2016 | 14 | 15 |
| 2015 | 21 | 21 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Lancaster County
US 6 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lancaster County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 17 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 36% of all fatal crashes in Lancaster County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 3 US routes, 1 state highway. 43% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 57% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 6 | 17 | 17 | 6 | |
| 2 | US 34 | 14 | 15 | 6 | |
| 3 | US 77 | 14 | 14 | 6 | |
| 4 | I-80 | 12 | 13 | 2 | |
| 5 | State Highway 2 | 11 | 11 | 2 |
Lincoln had 58% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 111 of 191.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Lincoln 111. 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 Lancaster County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.9%
- Feb5.2%
- Mar9.9%
- Apr9.9%
- May8.9%
- Jun4.7%
- Jul6.8%
- Aug9.4%
- Sep8.9%
- Oct10.5%
- Nov10.5%
- Dec5.2%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Lancaster County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 49%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 25%, a pedestrian in 11%, a rollover in 5.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 94 | 49% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 48 | 25% |
| Pedestrian | 21 | 11% |
| Rollover | 11 | 5.8% |
| Other | 11 | 5.8% |
| Cyclist | 4 | 2.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 1.0% |
| 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 Lancaster County compare with Nebraska
The largest difference from Nebraska: from 2015 to 2024, 34% of fatal crashes in Lancaster County were on rural roads, against 69% across Nebraska. Also above the Nebraska share: intersections, speeding and motorcycles. Below it: unlit roads at night. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Nebraska. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 191 crashes.
| Lancaster | Nebraska | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 34% | 69% | below the Nebraska share |
| At or near an intersection | 41% | 29% | above the Nebraska share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 16% | 25% | below the Nebraska share |
| A drinking driver | 34% | 33% | about the same as the Nebraska share |
| Speeding | 27% | 18% | above the Nebraska share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.2% | 5.8% | about the same as the Nebraska share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 63% | 64% | about the same as the Nebraska share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.7% | 2.8% | about the same as the Nebraska share |
| A motorcycle involved | 23% | 12% | above the Nebraska share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 10% | 7.8% | about the same as 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 Lancaster County, Nebraska
- How many people died in car accidents in Lancaster County in 2024?
- 24 people died in 22 fatal crashes in Lancaster County, Nebraska, in 2024, up from 16 in 2023. That is 7.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.5 across Nebraska. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Lancaster County?
- US 6 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lancaster County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 17 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Lancaster County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Lancaster County involved a drinking driver?
- 64 of 191 fatal crashes in Lancaster County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 34%, against 33% across Nebraska.
Other counties in Nebraska with a page
All fatal crashes in Nebraska, with every county ranked.
Where the Lancaster County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Lancaster County (county code 109). 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/nebraska/lancaster-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”