Fatal crashes in Otero County, New Mexico
In 2024, 11 people died in 11 fatal crashes in Otero County, New Mexico, down from 14 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 86 fatal crashes and 95 deaths, the 14th most of 33 counties in New Mexico.
15.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 19.2 across New Mexico in 2024; 14.1 against 19.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 69,711, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in New Mexico.
Deaths in Otero County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | 11 |
| 2023 | 13 | 14 |
| 2022 | 9 | 11 |
| 2021 | 12 | 15 |
| 2020 | 6 | 6 |
| 2019 | 9 | 11 |
| 2018 | 7 | 8 |
| 2017 | 6 | 6 |
| 2016 | 3 | 3 |
| 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 Otero County
US 54 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Otero County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 21 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 49% of all fatal crashes in Otero County from 2015 to 2024; 3 US routes. 56% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 44% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
Alamogordo had 24% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 21 of 86.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Alamogordo 21, Mescalero 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 Otero County
86 fatal crashes in Otero County, New Mexico from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 pm; the worst month is March.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Mon | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan2.3%
- Feb7.0%
- Mar14.0%
- Apr7.0%
- May9.3%
- Jun8.1%
- Jul5.8%
- Aug8.1%
- Sep9.3%
- Oct9.3%
- Nov9.3%
- 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 Otero County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 28%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 27%, a rollover in 22%, a pedestrian in 14%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 24 | 28% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 23 | 27% |
| Rollover | 19 | 22% |
| Pedestrian | 12 | 14% |
| Other | 7 | 8.1% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 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 Otero County compare with New Mexico
The largest difference from New Mexico: from 2015 to 2024, 52% of fatal crashes in Otero County were with speeding recorded, against 36% across New Mexico. Also above the New Mexico share: rural roads. 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 86 crashes.
| Otero | New Mexico | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 70% | 55% | above the New Mexico share |
| At or near an intersection | 19% | 22% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 33% | 33% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| A drinking driver | 23% | 26% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| Speeding | 52% | 36% | above the New Mexico share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 38% | 39% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 57% | 54% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.8% | 8.7% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 14% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 13% | 21% | about the same as 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 Otero County, New Mexico
- How many people died in car accidents in Otero County in 2024?
- 11 people died in 11 fatal crashes in Otero County, New Mexico, in 2024, down from 14 in 2023. That is 15.8 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 Otero County?
- US 54 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Otero County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 21 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Otero County involved a drinking driver?
- 20 of 86 fatal crashes in Otero County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 23%, 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
- Lea County
- Sandoval County
- Eddy County
- Cibola County
- Chaves County
- Rio Arriba County
- Valencia County
All fatal crashes in New Mexico, with every county ranked.
Where the Otero County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Otero 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. 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/otero-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”