Fatal crashes in Johnston County, North Carolina
In 2024, 40 people died in 34 fatal crashes in Johnston County, 25.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 311 fatal crashes and 341 deaths, the 8th most of any county in North Carolina.
16 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina in 2024; 15.8 against 14.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 249,794, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in North Carolina.
Deaths in Johnston County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 34 | 40 |
| 2023 | 30 | 32 |
| 2022 | 35 | 38 |
| 2021 | 36 | 39 |
| 2020 | 36 | 39 |
| 2019 | 25 | 26 |
| 2018 | 31 | 34 |
| 2017 | 29 | 32 |
| 2016 | 32 | 34 |
| 2015 | 23 | 27 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Johnston County
I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Johnston County from 2015 to 2024: 38, with 44 deaths. The 9 roads listed held 51% of all fatal crashes in Johnston County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 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-95 | 38 | 44 | 18 | |
| 2 | US 70 | 34 | 37 | 16 | |
| 3 | I-40 | 20 | 25 | 6 | |
| 4 | State Highway 42 | 20 | 23 | 4 | no page |
| 5 | US 301 | 16 | 17 | 7 | |
| 6 | State Highway 50 | 11 | 12 | 3 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 210 | 9 | 9 | 2 | |
| 8 | State Highway 39 | 7 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 9 | US 701 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Smithfield 13, Clayton 9, Benson 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 Johnston County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 15 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 | 2.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.0%
- Feb3.5%
- Mar8.7%
- Apr10.9%
- May7.7%
- Jun7.4%
- Jul7.7%
- Aug8.0%
- Sep9.3%
- Oct8.4%
- Nov11.9%
- Dec8.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Johnston County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 41%; a collision with another vehicle in 40%, a pedestrian in 11%, a rollover in 4.2%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 127 | 41% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 124 | 40% |
| Pedestrian | 33 | 11% |
| Rollover | 13 | 4.2% |
| Other | 8 | 2.6% |
| Cyclist | 4 | 1.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 0.6% |
| 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 Johnston County compare with North Carolina
A drinking driver was recorded in 28% of fatal crashes in Johnston County from 2015 to 2024, above the North Carolina share of 25%; speeding in 32%, about the North Carolina share; a hit-and-run in 3.9%, below the North Carolina share of 5.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 6.8%, about the North Carolina share; 46% 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.
| Johnston | North Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 71% | 57% | above the North Carolina share |
| At or near an intersection | 19% | 19% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 45% | 34% | above the North Carolina share |
| A drinking driver | 28% | 25% | above the North Carolina share |
| Speeding | 32% | 32% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.8% | 6.3% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 46% | 47% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.9% | 5.1% | below the North Carolina share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 14% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 12% | 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 Johnston County
- How many people died in car accidents in Johnston County in 2024?
- 40 people died in 34 fatal crashes in Johnston County, North Carolina, in 2024, 25.0% more than in 2023. That is 16 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina.
- What is the deadliest road in Johnston County?
- I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Johnston County from 2015 to 2024: 38, with 44 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Johnston County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 15 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Johnston County involved a drinking driver?
- 88 of 311 fatal crashes in Johnston County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 28%, 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
- Durham County
- Davidson County
- Gaston County
- Harnett County
- Randolph County
All fatal crashes in North Carolina, with every county ranked.
Where the Johnston County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Johnston County (county code 101). 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.