Fatal crashes in Columbia County, New York
In 2024, 5 people died in 5 fatal crashes in Columbia County, 70.6% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 77 fatal crashes and 82 deaths.
Deaths in Columbia County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 5 |
| 2023 | 14 | 17 |
| 2022 | 6 | 7 |
| 2021 | 7 | 8 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 |
| 2019 | 6 | 6 |
| 2018 | 7 | 7 |
| 2017 | 11 | 11 |
| 2016 | 8 | 8 |
| 2015 | 8 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Columbia County
US 9 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Columbia County from 2015 to 2024: 14, with 15 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 45% of all fatal crashes in Columbia County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 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 | US 9 | 14 | 15 | 5 | |
| 2 | State Highway 22 | 7 | 7 | 1 | |
| 3 | State Highway 23 | 7 | 7 | 3 | |
| 4 | State Highway 9G | 7 | 7 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Claverack 8, Hudson 8, Canaan 7, Kinderhook 7, Chatham 5, Livingston 5, Copake 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 Columbia County
Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 10.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan2.6%
- Feb6.5%
- Mar1.3%
- Apr5.2%
- May10.4%
- Jun11.7%
- Jul10.4%
- Aug11.7%
- Sep7.8%
- Oct10.4%
- Nov10.4%
- Dec11.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Columbia County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 47%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 35%, a pedestrian in 6.5%, a rollover in 3.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 36 | 47% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 27 | 35% |
| Other | 6 | 7.8% |
| Pedestrian | 5 | 6.5% |
| Rollover | 3 | 3.9% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Columbia County compare with New York
A drinking driver was recorded in 21% of fatal crashes in Columbia County from 2015 to 2024, about the New York share; speeding in 31%, about the New York share; a hit-and-run in 0.0%, below the New York share of 8.2%; a driver recorded as distracted in 6.5%, below the New York share of 12%; 32% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the New York share of 37%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of New York. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Columbia | New York | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 82% | 30% | above the New York share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 34% | below the New York share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 29% | 17% | above the New York share |
| A drinking driver | 21% | 20% | about the same as the New York share |
| Speeding | 31% | 31% | about the same as the New York share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.5% | 12% | below the New York share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 32% | 37% | below the New York share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 8.2% | below the New York share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 18% | above the New York share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 7.3% | 26% | below the New York 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 Columbia County
- How many people died in car accidents in Columbia County in 2024?
- 5 people died in 5 fatal crashes in Columbia County, New York, in 2024, 70.6% fewer than in 2023.
- What is the deadliest road in Columbia County?
- US 9 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Columbia County from 2015 to 2024: 14, with 15 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Columbia County involved a drinking driver?
- 16 of 77 fatal crashes in Columbia County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 21%, against 20% across New York.
Other counties in New York with a page
- Suffolk County
- Nassau County
- Queens County
- Kings County
- Erie County
- Monroe County
- Bronx County
- New York County
- Westchester County
- Orange County
- Onondaga County
- Dutchess County
All fatal crashes in New York, with every county ranked.
Where the Columbia County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Columbia County (county code 21). 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.