Fatal crashes in Somerset County, New Jersey
In 2024, 19 people died in 18 fatal crashes in Somerset County, 13.6% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 186 fatal crashes and 196 deaths, the 16th most of any county in New Jersey.
5.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 7.1 across New Jersey in 2024; 5.8 against 6.7 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 357,467, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in New Jersey.
Deaths in Somerset County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 | 19 |
| 2023 | 20 | 22 |
| 2022 | 17 | 18 |
| 2021 | 25 | 25 |
| 2020 | 14 | 14 |
| 2019 | 11 | 11 |
| 2018 | 23 | 23 |
| 2017 | 22 | 23 |
| 2016 | 18 | 19 |
| 2015 | 18 | 22 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Somerset County
I-78 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Somerset County from 2015 to 2024: 24, with 27 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 49% of all fatal crashes in Somerset County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 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 | I-78 | 24 | 27 | 5 | |
| 2 | US 22 | 19 | 21 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | I-287 | 18 | 21 | 7 | no page |
| 4 | US 202 | 9 | 9 | 4 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 28 | 8 | 8 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 27 | 7 | 8 | 4 | |
| 7 | US 206 | 6 | 6 | 2 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Bridgewater 29, Franklin Park 29, Bedminster 11, Watchung 10, Warren 9, Branchburg 7, Somerville 6, Hillsborough 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 Somerset 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 | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.5%
- Feb7.0%
- Mar10.8%
- Apr5.4%
- May6.5%
- Jun9.7%
- Jul10.8%
- Aug9.7%
- Sep8.1%
- Oct8.6%
- Nov10.8%
- Dec6.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Somerset County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 33%; a pedestrian in 29%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 25%, a parked vehicle in 4.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 62 | 33% |
| Pedestrian | 54 | 29% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 46 | 25% |
| Other | 9 | 4.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 8 | 4.3% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 2.7% |
| Rollover | 2 | 1.1% |
| 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 Somerset County compare with New Jersey
A drinking driver was recorded in 20% of fatal crashes in Somerset 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 5.4%, below the New Jersey share of 8.7%; a driver recorded as distracted in 22%, below the New Jersey share of 26%; 34% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the New Jersey share of 45%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of New Jersey. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Somerset | New Jersey | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 1.7% | 11% | below the New Jersey share |
| At or near an intersection | 33% | 34% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 23% | 18% | above the New Jersey share |
| A drinking driver | 20% | 22% | below the New Jersey share |
| Speeding | 18% | 23% | below the New Jersey share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 22% | 26% | below the New Jersey share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 34% | 45% | below the New Jersey share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.4% | 8.7% | below the New Jersey share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 14% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 31% | 29% | above 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 Somerset County
- How many people died in car accidents in Somerset County in 2024?
- 19 people died in 18 fatal crashes in Somerset County, New Jersey, in 2024, 13.6% fewer than in 2023. That is 5.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 7.1 across New Jersey.
- What is the deadliest road in Somerset County?
- I-78 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Somerset County from 2015 to 2024: 24, with 27 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Somerset County involved a drinking driver?
- 37 of 186 fatal crashes in Somerset County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 20%, 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
- Passaic County
All fatal crashes in New Jersey, with every county ranked.
Where the Somerset County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Somerset County (county code 35). 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.