Fatal crashes in Gaston County, North Carolina
In 2024, 37 people died in 37 fatal crashes in Gaston County, 42.3% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 267 fatal crashes and 277 deaths, the 12th most of any county in North Carolina.
15.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina in 2024; 12.2 against 14.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 242,010, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in North Carolina.
Deaths in Gaston County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 37 | 37 |
| 2023 | 26 | 26 |
| 2022 | 22 | 22 |
| 2021 | 20 | 22 |
| 2020 | 26 | 28 |
| 2019 | 17 | 18 |
| 2018 | 31 | 32 |
| 2017 | 23 | 23 |
| 2016 | 29 | 29 |
| 2015 | 36 | 40 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Gaston County
I-85 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Gaston County from 2015 to 2024: 33, with 33 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 46% of all fatal crashes in Gaston County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 3 US routes, 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-85 | 33 | 33 | 9 | |
| 2 | US 321 | 26 | 29 | 8 | |
| 3 | State Highway 279 | 17 | 17 | 5 | no page |
| 4 | US 29 | 13 | 13 | 7 | |
| 5 | State Highway 274 | 10 | 10 | 5 | no page |
| 6 | US 74 | 10 | 10 | 2 | |
| 7 | State Highway 275 | 8 | 8 | 1 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 273 | 6 | 6 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Gastonia 89, Belmont 9, Mount Holly 8. 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 Gaston County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 4 to 8 pm, with 16 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 pm; the worst month is May.
| 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 | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.9%
- Feb8.2%
- Mar5.6%
- Apr9.4%
- May13.9%
- Jun8.2%
- Jul7.1%
- Aug8.2%
- Sep10.5%
- Oct5.2%
- Nov7.9%
- Dec7.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Gaston County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 44%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 32%, a pedestrian in 15%, a rollover in 4.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 117 | 44% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 85 | 32% |
| Pedestrian | 39 | 15% |
| Rollover | 11 | 4.1% |
| Other | 9 | 3.4% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 1.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.4% |
| 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 Gaston County compare with North Carolina
A drinking driver was recorded in 25% of fatal crashes in Gaston County from 2015 to 2024, about the North Carolina share; speeding in 42%, above the North Carolina share of 32%; a hit-and-run in 6.4%, above the North Carolina share of 5.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 7.1%, about the North Carolina share; 47% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, about the North Carolina share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of North Carolina. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Gaston | North Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 33% | 57% | below the North Carolina share |
| At or near an intersection | 19% | 19% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 26% | 34% | below the North Carolina share |
| A drinking driver | 25% | 25% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| Speeding | 42% | 32% | above the North Carolina share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.1% | 6.3% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 47% | 47% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| Hit-and-run | 6.4% | 5.1% | above the North Carolina share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 14% | above the North Carolina share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 15% | 15% | about the same as 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 Gaston County
- How many people died in car accidents in Gaston County in 2024?
- 37 people died in 37 fatal crashes in Gaston County, North Carolina, in 2024, 42.3% more than in 2023. That is 15.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina.
- What is the deadliest road in Gaston County?
- I-85 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Gaston County from 2015 to 2024: 33, with 33 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Gaston County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 4 to 8 pm, with 16 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Gaston County involved a drinking driver?
- 66 of 267 fatal crashes in Gaston County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 25%, 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
- Harnett County
- Randolph County
All fatal crashes in North Carolina, with every county ranked.
Where the Gaston County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Gaston County (county code 71). 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.