Fatal crashes in Santa Fe County, New Mexico
In 2024, 18 people died in 17 fatal crashes in Santa Fe County, 20.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 188 fatal crashes and 201 deaths, the 5th most of any county in New Mexico.
11.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 19.2 across New Mexico in 2024; 13.2 against 19.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 157,765, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in New Mexico.
Deaths in Santa Fe County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 | 18 |
| 2023 | 15 | 15 |
| 2022 | 24 | 25 |
| 2021 | 19 | 22 |
| 2020 | 30 | 33 |
| 2019 | 16 | 17 |
| 2018 | 18 | 18 |
| 2017 | 16 | 16 |
| 2016 | 20 | 23 |
| 2015 | 13 | 14 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Santa Fe County
I-25 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Santa Fe County from 2015 to 2024: 44, with 46 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 66% of all fatal crashes in Santa Fe County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 2 US routes, 3 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-25 | 44 | 46 | 14 | |
| 2 | State Highway 14 | 31 | 31 | 9 | no page |
| 3 | US 84 | 16 | 21 | 5 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 599 | 10 | 13 | 1 | no page |
| 5 | US 285 | 9 | 9 | 6 | |
| 6 | I-40 | 8 | 8 | 2 | |
| 7 | State Highway 466 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Santa Fe 79, Edgewood 12. 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 Santa Fe County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, 4 to 8 pm, with 12 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 7 pm to 8 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 | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.0%
- Feb6.9%
- Mar5.3%
- Apr9.0%
- May4.8%
- Jun10.1%
- Jul10.6%
- Aug8.0%
- Sep13.3%
- Oct8.5%
- Nov5.9%
- Dec8.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Santa Fe County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 33%; a pedestrian in 26%, a rollover in 20%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 16%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 62 | 33% |
| Pedestrian | 48 | 26% |
| Rollover | 37 | 20% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 30 | 16% |
| Other | 6 | 3.2% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 2.7% |
| 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 Santa Fe County compare with New Mexico
A drinking driver was recorded in 27% of fatal crashes in Santa Fe County from 2015 to 2024, about the New Mexico share; speeding in 30%, below the New Mexico share of 36%; a hit-and-run in 8.5%, about the New Mexico share; a driver recorded as distracted in 28%, below the New Mexico share of 39%; 52% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below 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.
| Santa Fe | New Mexico | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 47% | 55% | below the New Mexico share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 22% | below the New Mexico share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 29% | 33% | below the New Mexico share |
| A drinking driver | 27% | 26% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| Speeding | 30% | 36% | below the New Mexico share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 28% | 39% | below the New Mexico share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 52% | 54% | below the New Mexico share |
| Hit-and-run | 8.5% | 8.7% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 14% | above the New Mexico share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 24% | 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 Santa Fe County
- How many people died in car accidents in Santa Fe County in 2024?
- 18 people died in 17 fatal crashes in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, in 2024, 20.0% more than in 2023. That is 11.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 19.2 across New Mexico.
- What is the deadliest road in Santa Fe County?
- I-25 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Santa Fe County from 2015 to 2024: 44, with 46 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Santa Fe County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, 4 to 8 pm, with 12 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Santa Fe County involved a drinking driver?
- 51 of 188 fatal crashes in Santa Fe County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 27%, against 26% across New Mexico.
Other counties in New Mexico with a page
- Bernalillo County
- San Juan County
- McKinley County
- Doña Ana 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 Santa Fe County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Santa Fe County (county code 49). 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.