Fatal crashes in Columbus County, North Carolina
In 2024, 18 people died in 17 fatal crashes in Columbus County, 12.5% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 180 fatal crashes and 204 deaths.
36 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina in 2024; 38.4 against 14.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 50,054, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in North Carolina.
Deaths in Columbus County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 | 18 |
| 2023 | 15 | 16 |
| 2022 | 17 | 23 |
| 2021 | 21 | 23 |
| 2020 | 17 | 20 |
| 2019 | 15 | 17 |
| 2018 | 14 | 17 |
| 2017 | 26 | 30 |
| 2016 | 24 | 26 |
| 2015 | 14 | 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 Columbus County
US 74 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Columbus County from 2015 to 2024: 29, with 33 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 49% of all fatal crashes in Columbus County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 5 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 74 | 29 | 33 | 4 | |
| 2 | US 701 | 16 | 18 | 4 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 410 | 13 | 18 | 3 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 87 | 12 | 14 | 5 | |
| 5 | State Highway 130 | 8 | 9 | 2 | |
| 6 | State Highway 905 | 6 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 904 | 5 | 5 | 0 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Whiteville 13, Chadbourn 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 Columbus County
The heaviest slot is Wednesday, noon to 4 pm, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 4 pm to 5 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 | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 6.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.7%
- Feb7.2%
- Mar7.2%
- Apr8.3%
- May11.1%
- Jun10.0%
- Jul10.6%
- Aug8.9%
- Sep12.2%
- Oct6.7%
- Nov6.7%
- Dec4.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Columbus 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 37%, a pedestrian in 9.4%, a rollover in 4.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 84 | 47% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 67 | 37% |
| Pedestrian | 17 | 9.4% |
| Rollover | 8 | 4.4% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 1.7% |
| Other | 1 | 0.6% |
| 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 Columbus County compare with North Carolina
A drinking driver was recorded in 23% of fatal crashes in Columbus County from 2015 to 2024, below the North Carolina share of 25%; speeding in 24%, below the North Carolina share of 32%; a hit-and-run in 1.7%, below the North Carolina share of 5.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 7.2%, about the North Carolina share; 50% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the North Carolina share of 47%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of North Carolina. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Columbus | North Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 83% | 57% | above the North Carolina share |
| At or near an intersection | 23% | 19% | above the North Carolina share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 32% | 34% | below the North Carolina share |
| A drinking driver | 23% | 25% | below the North Carolina share |
| Speeding | 24% | 32% | below the North Carolina share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.2% | 6.3% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 50% | 47% | above the North Carolina share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.7% | 5.1% | below the North Carolina share |
| A motorcycle involved | 11% | 14% | below the North Carolina share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.3% | 15% | below the North Carolina 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 Columbus County
- How many people died in car accidents in Columbus County in 2024?
- 18 people died in 17 fatal crashes in Columbus County, North Carolina, in 2024, 12.5% more than in 2023. That is 36 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina.
- What is the deadliest road in Columbus County?
- US 74 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Columbus County from 2015 to 2024: 29, with 33 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Columbus County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Wednesday, noon to 4 pm, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Columbus County involved a drinking driver?
- 41 of 180 fatal crashes in Columbus County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 23%, against 25% across North Carolina.
Other counties in North Carolina with a page
- Mecklenburg County
- Wake County
- Guilford County
- Robeson County
- Cumberland County
- Forsyth County
- Buncombe County
- Johnston County
- Durham County
- Davidson County
- Gaston County
- Harnett County
All fatal crashes in North Carolina, with every county ranked.
Where the Columbus County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Columbus County (county code 47). 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.