Fatal crashes in Onondaga County, New York
In 2024, 34 people died in 33 fatal crashes in Onondaga County, 30.8% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 270 fatal crashes and 288 deaths, the 11th most of any county in New York.
7.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.5 across New York in 2024; 6.2 against 5.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 469,812, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in New York.
Deaths in Onondaga County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 33 | 34 |
| 2023 | 26 | 26 |
| 2022 | 20 | 21 |
| 2021 | 29 | 31 |
| 2020 | 22 | 23 |
| 2019 | 21 | 23 |
| 2018 | 32 | 34 |
| 2017 | 32 | 36 |
| 2016 | 25 | 27 |
| 2015 | 30 | 33 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Onondaga County
I-81 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Onondaga County from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 21 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 27% of all fatal crashes in Onondaga County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 1 US route, 4 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-81 | 21 | 21 | 7 | |
| 2 | US 11 | 13 | 13 | 5 | |
| 3 | State Highway 5 | 11 | 14 | 2 | |
| 4 | State Highway 31 | 9 | 11 | 2 | |
| 5 | I-690 | 9 | 10 | 1 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 290 | 6 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 370 | 5 | 6 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Syracuse 96, Cicero 23, Clay 20, Liverpool 13, Camillus 12, De Witt 10, Lysander 8, Onondaga 7. 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 Onondaga County
The heaviest slot is Tuesday, 4 to 8 pm, with 16 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 5 pm to 6 pm; the worst month is November.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.2%
- Feb5.2%
- Mar5.9%
- Apr7.8%
- May6.7%
- Jun8.9%
- Jul9.6%
- Aug11.5%
- Sep8.5%
- Oct10.4%
- Nov11.9%
- 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 Onondaga County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 31%; a pedestrian in 28%, a collision with another vehicle in 26%, a rollover in 4.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 84 | 31% |
| Pedestrian | 76 | 28% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 71 | 26% |
| Other | 16 | 5.9% |
| Rollover | 11 | 4.1% |
| Cyclist | 10 | 3.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 0.7% |
| 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 Onondaga County compare with New York
A drinking driver was recorded in 25% of fatal crashes in Onondaga County from 2015 to 2024, above the New York share of 20%; speeding in 32%, about the New York share; a hit-and-run in 13%, above the New York share of 8.2%; a driver recorded as distracted in 8.9%, below the New York share of 12%; 36% 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.
| Onondaga | New York | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 26% | 30% | below the New York share |
| At or near an intersection | 32% | 34% | below the New York share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 22% | 17% | above the New York share |
| A drinking driver | 25% | 20% | above the New York share |
| Speeding | 32% | 31% | about the same as the New York share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 8.9% | 12% | below the New York share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 36% | 37% | below the New York share |
| Hit-and-run | 13% | 8.2% | above the New York share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 18% | above the New York share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 27% | 26% | about the same as 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 Onondaga County
- How many people died in car accidents in Onondaga County in 2024?
- 34 people died in 33 fatal crashes in Onondaga County, New York, in 2024, 30.8% more than in 2023. That is 7.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.5 across New York.
- What is the deadliest road in Onondaga County?
- I-81 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Onondaga County from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 21 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Onondaga County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Tuesday, 4 to 8 pm, with 16 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Onondaga County involved a drinking driver?
- 67 of 270 fatal crashes in Onondaga County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 25%, 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
- Dutchess County
- Albany County
All fatal crashes in New York, with every county ranked.
Where the Onondaga County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Onondaga County (county code 67). 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.