Fatal Crash Data

US 550 in New Mexico: fatal crashes

From 2015 to 2024, 73 fatal crashes on US 550 in New Mexico killed 85 people, the 7th most of any numbered road in New Mexico. In 2024 there were 9 fatal crashes and 10 deaths on the road.

An US route running through 3 counties of New Mexico. All fatal crashes in New Mexico.

Deaths on US 550 in New Mexico by year

10201620182020202220242017: 132024: 10
YearFatal crashesDeaths
2024910
202377
202256
202177
202055
201989
2018910
2017913
2016610
201588

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

Where on US 550 in New Mexico: the counties with the most fatal crashes

Sandoval County had the most fatal crashes on US 550 from 2015 to 2024: 39, with 49 deaths. Sandoval, San Juan and Rio Arriba counties together held 100% of fatal crashes in US 550 in New Mexico from 2015 to 2024. Counties are listed from 5 fatal crashes.

County20242015 to 2024Deaths
1Sandoval County33949
2San Juan County42830
3Rio Arriba County266

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

When fatal crashes happen on US 550 in New Mexico

Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.

Share of fatal crashes in US 550 in New Mexico by weekday and time of day, 2015 to 2024, in percent
Midnight to 44 to 8 am8 to noonNoon to 44 to 8 pm8 to midnight
Sun0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes
Mon0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes5.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes6.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes5.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes
Tue1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes
Wed1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes6.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes
Thu2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes5.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes
Fri0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes5.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes
Sat1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes

By hour

By month

  • Jan8.2%
  • Feb8.2%
  • Mar6.8%
  • Apr9.6%
  • May9.6%
  • Jun5.5%
  • Jul2.7%
  • Aug12.3%
  • Sep8.2%
  • Oct5.5%
  • Nov9.6%
  • Dec13.7%

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

What fatal crashes on US 550 in New Mexico first hit

The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in most fatal crashes, 52%; a pedestrian in 18%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 12%, a rollover in 11%.

First harmful eventFatal crashesShare
Collision with another vehicle3852%
Pedestrian1318%
Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch)912%
Rollover811%
Other45.5%
Parked vehicle11.4%
Cyclist00.0%
Not reported00.0%

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

How fatal crashes on US 550 in New Mexico compare with the state

A drinking driver was recorded in 25% of fatal crashes in US 550 in New Mexico from 2015 to 2024, below the New Mexico share of 26%; speeding in 37%, above the New Mexico share of 36%; a hit-and-run in 5.5%, below the New Mexico share of 8.7%; a driver recorded as distracted in 43%, above the New Mexico share of 39%; 46% 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.

US 550New Mexico
On rural stretches77%55%above the New Mexico share
At or near an intersection18%22%below the New Mexico share
In the dark, road unlit23%33%below the New Mexico share
A drinking driver25%26%below the New Mexico share
Speeding37%36%above the New Mexico share
A distracted driver (as recorded)43%39%above the New Mexico share
Occupants killed unbelted46%54%below the New Mexico share
Hit-and-run5.5%8.7%below the New Mexico share
A motorcycle involved6.8%14%below the New Mexico share
Pedestrians among the dead15%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 US 550 in New Mexico

How many fatal crashes have there been on US 550 in New Mexico?
73 fatal crashes killed 85 people on US 550 in New Mexico from 2015 to 2024. In 2024 there were 9 fatal crashes and 10 deaths.
Where on US 550 in New Mexico do the most fatal crashes happen?
Sandoval County had the most fatal crashes on US 550 from 2015 to 2024: 39, with 49 deaths. San Juan County was second with 28.

Other roads in New Mexico with a page

All fatal crashes in New Mexico, with every road ranked.

Where the US 550 numbers come from

Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash whose road NHTSA filed as US 550 in New Mexico (filed under 3 spellings, such as "US-550", "US-550 MAIN ST", "US-550 N 1ST ST"). Ramps, frontage and service roads are left out. A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The full method.