Fatal crashes in Ocean County, New Jersey
In 2024, 44 people died in 42 fatal crashes in Ocean County, 2.3% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 400 fatal crashes and 423 deaths, the 5th most of any county in New Jersey.
6.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 7.1 across New Jersey in 2024; 6.8 against 6.7 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 666,434, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in New Jersey.
Deaths in Ocean County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 42 | 44 |
| 2023 | 40 | 43 |
| 2022 | 48 | 52 |
| 2021 | 43 | 44 |
| 2020 | 30 | 30 |
| 2019 | 37 | 39 |
| 2018 | 31 | 39 |
| 2017 | 52 | 53 |
| 2016 | 39 | 41 |
| 2015 | 38 | 38 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Ocean County
State Highway 70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Ocean County from 2015 to 2024: 39, with 39 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 24% of all fatal crashes in Ocean County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 4 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 | State Highway 70 | 39 | 39 | 12 | |
| 2 | US 9 | 23 | 24 | 7 | |
| 3 | State Highway 37 | 19 | 20 | 6 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 72 | 9 | 10 | 2 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 88 | 6 | 6 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Toms River 76, Lakewood 51, Manchester Township 35, Brick Town 22, Cassville 21, Barnegat 13, Jackson 8, Township Of Brick 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 Ocean County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 26 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 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 | 2.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 16 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 6.5 percent, 26 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.5%
- Feb5.5%
- Mar7.8%
- Apr7.5%
- May8.0%
- Jun9.0%
- Jul9.2%
- Aug8.5%
- Sep8.2%
- Oct10.5%
- Nov8.2%
- Dec8.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Ocean 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 31%, a pedestrian in 21%, a cyclist in 3.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 148 | 37% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 123 | 31% |
| Pedestrian | 83 | 21% |
| Cyclist | 15 | 3.8% |
| Other | 14 | 3.5% |
| Rollover | 13 | 3.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 4 | 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 Ocean County compare with New Jersey
A drinking driver was recorded in 21% of fatal crashes in Ocean County from 2015 to 2024, below the New Jersey share of 22%; speeding in 18%, below the New Jersey share of 23%; a hit-and-run in 5.5%, below the New Jersey share of 8.7%; a driver recorded as distracted in 24%, below the New Jersey share of 26%; 46% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, about the New Jersey share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of New Jersey. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Ocean | New Jersey | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 11% | 11% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| At or near an intersection | 33% | 34% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 18% | 18% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| A drinking driver | 21% | 22% | below the New Jersey share |
| Speeding | 18% | 23% | below the New Jersey share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 24% | 26% | below the New Jersey share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 46% | 45% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.5% | 8.7% | below the New Jersey share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 14% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 21% | 29% | below the New Jersey 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 Ocean County
- How many people died in car accidents in Ocean County in 2024?
- 44 people died in 42 fatal crashes in Ocean County, New Jersey, in 2024, 2.3% more than in 2023. That is 6.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 7.1 across New Jersey.
- What is the deadliest road in Ocean County?
- State Highway 70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Ocean County from 2015 to 2024: 39, with 39 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Ocean County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 26 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Ocean County involved a drinking driver?
- 83 of 400 fatal crashes in Ocean County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 21%, against 22% across New Jersey.
Other counties in New Jersey with a page
- Middlesex County
- Essex County
- Camden County
- Burlington County
- Monmouth County
- Atlantic County
- Bergen County
- Gloucester County
- Union County
- Mercer County
- Passaic County
- Cumberland County
All fatal crashes in New Jersey, with every county ranked.
Where the Ocean County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Ocean County (county code 29). 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.