Fatal crashes in Sussex County, New Jersey
In 2024, 12 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Sussex County, 33.3% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 103 fatal crashes and 107 deaths, the 20th most of any county in New Jersey.
8.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 7.1 across New Jersey in 2024; 7.4 against 6.7 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 147,444, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in New Jersey.
Deaths in Sussex County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 | 12 |
| 2023 | 6 | 9 |
| 2022 | 14 | 14 |
| 2021 | 10 | 10 |
| 2020 | 7 | 7 |
| 2019 | 13 | 14 |
| 2018 | 12 | 12 |
| 2017 | 7 | 7 |
| 2016 | 12 | 12 |
| 2015 | 10 | 10 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Sussex County
State Highway 23 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Sussex County from 2015 to 2024: 14, with 14 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 31% of all fatal crashes in Sussex County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 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 | State Highway 23 | 14 | 14 | 5 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 94 | 9 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 3 | US 206 | 9 | 9 | 1 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Vernon 11, Montague 10, Andover 5, Wantage Township 5. 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 Sussex County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, noon to 4 pm, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 2 pm to 3 pm; the worst month is September.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 9.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.8%
- Feb4.9%
- Mar5.8%
- Apr3.9%
- May13.6%
- Jun6.8%
- Jul6.8%
- Aug8.7%
- Sep15.5%
- Oct10.7%
- Nov13.6%
- Dec1.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Sussex County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 43%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 27%, a pedestrian in 11%, a rollover in 7.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 44 | 43% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 28 | 27% |
| Pedestrian | 11 | 11% |
| Rollover | 8 | 7.8% |
| Other | 7 | 6.8% |
| Cyclist | 4 | 3.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 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 Sussex County compare with New Jersey
A drinking driver was recorded in 21% of fatal crashes in Sussex County from 2015 to 2024, about the New Jersey share; speeding in 18%, below the New Jersey share of 23%; a hit-and-run in 1.9%, below the New Jersey share of 8.7%; a driver recorded as distracted in 32%, above the New Jersey share of 26%; 43% 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.
| Sussex | New Jersey | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 56% | 11% | above the New Jersey share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 34% | below the New Jersey share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 18% | 18% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| A drinking driver | 21% | 22% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| Speeding | 18% | 23% | below the New Jersey share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 32% | 26% | above the New Jersey share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 43% | 45% | below the New Jersey share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.9% | 8.7% | below the New Jersey share |
| A motorcycle involved | 24% | 14% | above the New Jersey share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 11% | 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 Sussex County
- How many people died in car accidents in Sussex County in 2024?
- 12 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Sussex County, New Jersey, in 2024, 33.3% more than in 2023. That is 8.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 7.1 across New Jersey.
- What is the deadliest road in Sussex County?
- State Highway 23 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Sussex County from 2015 to 2024: 14, with 14 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Sussex County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, noon to 4 pm, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Sussex County involved a drinking driver?
- 22 of 103 fatal crashes in Sussex 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
- 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 Sussex County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Sussex County (county code 37). 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.