Fatal crashes in McKinley County, New Mexico
In 2024, 17 people died in 14 fatal crashes in McKinley County, 41.4% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 237 fatal crashes and 278 deaths, the 3rd most of any county in New Mexico.
24.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 19.2 across New Mexico in 2024; 38.9 against 19.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 68,945, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in New Mexico.
Deaths in McKinley County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 17 |
| 2023 | 26 | 29 |
| 2022 | 33 | 34 |
| 2021 | 25 | 32 |
| 2020 | 20 | 24 |
| 2019 | 21 | 26 |
| 2018 | 30 | 41 |
| 2017 | 28 | 30 |
| 2016 | 22 | 22 |
| 2015 | 18 | 23 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in McKinley County
I-40 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in McKinley County from 2015 to 2024: 83, with 101 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 68% of all fatal crashes in McKinley County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 5 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-40 | 83 | 101 | 29 | |
| 2 | State Highway 118 | 25 | 29 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | US 491 | 18 | 20 | 6 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 53 | 11 | 13 | 1 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 264 | 11 | 11 | 5 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 371 | 8 | 8 | 0 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 602 | 6 | 7 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Gallup 54, Zuni 10, Pinedale 6, Prewitt 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 McKinley County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 15 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 pm; the worst month is July.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 6.3 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.1%
- Feb8.9%
- Mar10.5%
- Apr7.2%
- May7.2%
- Jun10.5%
- Jul11.0%
- Aug8.4%
- Sep8.4%
- Oct6.8%
- Nov5.5%
- Dec10.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in McKinley County first hit
The first harmful event was a pedestrian in 29%; a collision with another vehicle in 29%, a rollover in 25%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 16%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrian | 69 | 29% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 68 | 29% |
| Rollover | 59 | 25% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 38 | 16% |
| Other | 2 | 0.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.4% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 McKinley County compare with New Mexico
A drinking driver was recorded in 29% of fatal crashes in McKinley County from 2015 to 2024, above the New Mexico share of 26%; speeding in 40%, above the New Mexico share of 36%; a hit-and-run in 11%, above the New Mexico share of 8.7%; a driver recorded as distracted in 38%, about the New Mexico share; 62% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the New Mexico share of 54%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of New Mexico. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| McKinley | New Mexico | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 80% | 55% | above the New Mexico share |
| At or near an intersection | 6.8% | 22% | below the New Mexico share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 37% | 33% | above the New Mexico share |
| A drinking driver | 29% | 26% | above the New Mexico share |
| Speeding | 40% | 36% | above the New Mexico share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 38% | 39% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 62% | 54% | above the New Mexico share |
| Hit-and-run | 11% | 8.7% | above the New Mexico share |
| A motorcycle involved | 2.5% | 14% | below the New Mexico share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 26% | 21% | above 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 McKinley County
- How many people died in car accidents in McKinley County in 2024?
- 17 people died in 14 fatal crashes in McKinley County, New Mexico, in 2024, 41.4% fewer than in 2023. That is 24.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 19.2 across New Mexico.
- What is the deadliest road in McKinley County?
- I-40 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in McKinley County from 2015 to 2024: 83, with 101 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in McKinley County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 15 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in McKinley County involved a drinking driver?
- 69 of 237 fatal crashes in McKinley County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 29%, against 26% across New Mexico.
Other counties in New Mexico with a page
- Bernalillo County
- San Juan County
- Doña Ana County
- Santa Fe County
- Lea 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 McKinley County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in McKinley 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. The full method.