Fatal crashes in Passaic County, New Jersey
In 2024, 33 people died in 32 fatal crashes in Passaic County, New Jersey, 32.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 246 fatal crashes and 262 deaths, the 12th most of 21 counties in New Jersey.
6.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 7.1 across New Jersey in 2024; 5.1 against 6.7 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 526,597, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in New Jersey.
Deaths in Passaic County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 | 33 |
| 2023 | 24 | 25 |
| 2022 | 25 | 26 |
| 2021 | 24 | 25 |
| 2020 | 26 | 29 |
| 2019 | 27 | 31 |
| 2018 | 20 | 21 |
| 2017 | 18 | 18 |
| 2016 | 22 | 22 |
| 2015 | 28 | 32 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Passaic County
I-80 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Passaic County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 21 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 32% of all fatal crashes in Passaic County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 5 state highways. 34% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 66% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-80 | 19 | 21 | 4 | |
| 2 | State Highway 3 | 12 | 15 | 4 | no page |
| 3 | US 46 | 11 | 11 | 4 | |
| 4 | State Highway 21 | 10 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 23 | 9 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 20 | 8 | 9 | 2 | no page |
| 7 | US 202 | 5 | 7 | 1 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 19 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Paterson had 28% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 68 of 246.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Paterson 68, Clifton 45, Wayne 34, West Milford 13, Passaic 12, Hawthorne 8, Woodland Park 7, Totowa 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 Passaic County
The heaviest slot is Monday, 4 to 8 pm, with 15 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 7 pm to 8 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 | 5.7 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.1 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.7%
- Feb7.3%
- Mar6.1%
- Apr8.5%
- May8.1%
- Jun7.7%
- Jul7.7%
- Aug8.1%
- Sep11.0%
- Oct11.8%
- Nov8.9%
- Dec8.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Passaic County first hit
The first harmful event was a pedestrian in 30%; a collision with another vehicle in 29%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 27%, a parked vehicle in 4.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrian | 73 | 30% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 71 | 29% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 66 | 27% |
| Parked vehicle | 12 | 4.9% |
| Rollover | 10 | 4.1% |
| Other | 8 | 3.3% |
| Cyclist | 6 | 2.4% |
| 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 Passaic County compare with New Jersey
The largest difference from New Jersey: from 2015 to 2024, 2.5% of fatal crashes in Passaic County were on rural roads, against 11% across New Jersey. Also above the New Jersey share: motorcycles. Below it: unlit roads at night. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of New Jersey. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 246 crashes.
| Passaic | New Jersey | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 2.5% | 11% | below the New Jersey share |
| At or near an intersection | 32% | 34% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 11% | 18% | below the New Jersey share |
| A drinking driver | 25% | 22% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| Speeding | 22% | 23% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 26% | 26% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 44% | 45% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| Hit-and-run | 8.5% | 8.7% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 14% | above the New Jersey share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 31% | 29% | about the same as 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 Passaic County, New Jersey
- How many people died in car accidents in Passaic County in 2024?
- 33 people died in 32 fatal crashes in Passaic County, New Jersey, in 2024, 32.0% more than in 2023. That is 6.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 7.1 across New Jersey. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Passaic County?
- I-80 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Passaic County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 21 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Passaic County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Monday, 4 to 8 pm, with 15 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Passaic County involved a drinking driver?
- 62 of 246 fatal crashes in Passaic County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 25%, against 22% across New Jersey.
Other counties in New Jersey with a page
- Middlesex County
- Essex County
- Camden County
- Burlington County
- Ocean County
- Monmouth County
- Atlantic County
- Bergen County
- Gloucester County
- Union County
- Mercer County
- Cumberland County
All fatal crashes in New Jersey, with every county ranked.
Where the Passaic County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Passaic County (county code 31). 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/new-jersey/passaic-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”