Fatal crashes in Lea County, New Mexico
In 2024, 31 people died in 30 fatal crashes in Lea County, New Mexico, up from 18 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 168 fatal crashes and 194 deaths, the 6th most of 33 counties in New Mexico.
41.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 19.2 across New Mexico in 2024; 26.9 against 19.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 75,151, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in New Mexico.
Deaths in Lea County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 30 | 31 |
| 2023 | 14 | 18 |
| 2022 | 17 | 21 |
| 2021 | 13 | 14 |
| 2020 | 13 | 14 |
| 2019 | 18 | 26 |
| 2018 | 26 | 28 |
| 2017 | 14 | 16 |
| 2016 | 11 | 13 |
| 2015 | 12 | 13 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Lea County
State Highway 18 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lea County from 2015 to 2024: 31, with 38 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 62% of all fatal crashes in Lea County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 4 state highways. 73% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 27% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 18 | 31 | 38 | 13 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 128 | 27 | 34 | 7 | no page |
| 3 | US 62 | 25 | 28 | 8 | |
| 4 | US 380 | 8 | 10 | 2 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 176 | 8 | 9 | 4 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 248 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Hobbs had 20% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 34 of 168.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Hobbs 34, Lovington 10, Jal 7, Eunice 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 Lea County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 4 to 8 am, with 12 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 5 am to 6 am; the worst month is January.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 7.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan11.9%
- Feb3.6%
- Mar10.1%
- Apr9.5%
- May6.0%
- Jun8.9%
- Jul6.5%
- Aug8.9%
- Sep10.1%
- Oct7.7%
- Nov9.5%
- Dec7.1%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Lea County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in most fatal crashes, 61%; a rollover in 15%, a pedestrian in 9.5%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 8.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 103 | 61% |
| Rollover | 25 | 15% |
| Pedestrian | 16 | 9.5% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 14 | 8.3% |
| Other | 5 | 3.0% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 1.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 1.2% |
| 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 Lea County compare with New Mexico
The largest difference from New Mexico: from 2015 to 2024, 83% of fatal crashes in Lea County were on rural roads, against 55% across New Mexico. Also above the New Mexico share: unlit roads at night and distracted drivers. Below it: pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of New Mexico. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 168 crashes.
| Lea | New Mexico | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 83% | 55% | above the New Mexico share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 22% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 44% | 33% | above the New Mexico share |
| A drinking driver | 25% | 26% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| Speeding | 31% | 36% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 49% | 39% | above the New Mexico share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 49% | 54% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.4% | 8.7% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| A motorcycle involved | 11% | 14% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 9.8% | 21% | below the New Mexico 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 Lea County, New Mexico
- How many people died in car accidents in Lea County in 2024?
- 31 people died in 30 fatal crashes in Lea County, New Mexico, in 2024, up from 18 in 2023. That is 41.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 19.2 across New Mexico. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Lea County?
- State Highway 18 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lea County from 2015 to 2024: 31, with 38 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Lea County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 4 to 8 am, with 12 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Lea County involved a drinking driver?
- 42 of 168 fatal crashes in Lea County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 25%, against 26% across New Mexico.
Other counties in New Mexico with a page
- Bernalillo County
- San Juan County
- McKinley County
- Doña Ana County
- Santa Fe County
- Sandoval County
- Eddy County
- Cibola County
- Chaves County
- Rio Arriba County
- Valencia County
- Torrance County
All fatal crashes in New Mexico, with every county ranked.
Where the Lea County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Lea County (county code 25). 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-mexico/lea-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”