Fatal crashes in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico
In 2024, 9 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, down from 16 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 103 fatal crashes and 116 deaths, the 11th most of 33 counties in New Mexico.
Deaths in Rio Arriba County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 9 |
| 2023 | 12 | 16 |
| 2022 | 13 | 14 |
| 2021 | 5 | 6 |
| 2020 | 12 | 14 |
| 2019 | 12 | 12 |
| 2018 | 13 | 14 |
| 2017 | 7 | 8 |
| 2016 | 9 | 11 |
| 2015 | 11 | 12 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Rio Arriba County
US 84 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rio Arriba County from 2015 to 2024: 27, with 33 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 61% of all fatal crashes in Rio Arriba County from 2015 to 2024; 3 US routes, 1 state highway. 84% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 16% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 84 | 27 | 33 | 7 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 68 | 20 | 23 | 6 | no page |
| 3 | US 64 | 10 | 11 | 5 | |
| 4 | US 550 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Medanales 8, Espanola 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 Rio Arriba County
102 fatal crashes in Rio Arriba 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 5 pm to 6 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 | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.7%
- Feb1.9%
- Mar4.9%
- Apr3.9%
- May9.7%
- Jun10.7%
- Jul17.5%
- Aug9.7%
- Sep10.7%
- Oct7.8%
- Nov2.9%
- Dec10.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Rio Arriba County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 34%; a rollover in 24%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 19%, a pedestrian in 13%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 35 | 34% |
| Rollover | 25 | 24% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 20 | 19% |
| Pedestrian | 13 | 13% |
| Other | 7 | 6.8% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.0% |
| Not reported | 1 | 1.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Rio Arriba County compare with New Mexico
The largest difference from New Mexico: from 2015 to 2024, 76% of fatal crashes in Rio Arriba County were on rural roads, against 55% across New Mexico. Also above the New Mexico share: drinking drivers. Below it: intersections and distracted drivers. 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 103 crashes.
| Rio Arriba | New Mexico | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 76% | 55% | above the New Mexico share |
| At or near an intersection | 9.7% | 22% | below the New Mexico share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 38% | 33% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| A drinking driver | 38% | 26% | above the New Mexico share |
| Speeding | 38% | 36% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 26% | 39% | below the New Mexico share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 59% | 54% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| Hit-and-run | 6.8% | 8.7% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 14% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 14% | 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 Rio Arriba County, New Mexico
- How many people died in car accidents in Rio Arriba County in 2024?
- 9 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, in 2024, down from 16 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Rio Arriba County?
- US 84 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rio Arriba County from 2015 to 2024: 27, with 33 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Rio Arriba County involved a drinking driver?
- 39 of 103 fatal crashes in Rio Arriba County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 38%, 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
- Valencia County
- Torrance County
All fatal crashes in New Mexico, with every county ranked.
Where the Rio Arriba County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Rio Arriba County (county code 39). 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/rio-arriba-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”