Fatal crashes in Rutherford County, North Carolina
In 2024, 16 people died in 11 fatal crashes in Rutherford County, 45.5% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 106 fatal crashes and 118 deaths.
24.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina in 2024; 17.9 against 14.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 65,587, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in North Carolina.
Deaths in Rutherford County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | 16 |
| 2023 | 10 | 11 |
| 2022 | 10 | 11 |
| 2021 | 12 | 13 |
| 2020 | 21 | 24 |
| 2019 | 10 | 10 |
| 2018 | 10 | 10 |
| 2017 | 11 | 11 |
| 2016 | 6 | 6 |
| 2015 | 5 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Rutherford County
US 64 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rutherford County from 2015 to 2024: 11, with 14 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 25% of all fatal crashes in Rutherford County from 2015 to 2024; 3 US routes. 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 64 | 11 | 14 | 2 | |
| 2 | US 221 | 8 | 9 | 4 | |
| 3 | US 74 | 8 | 8 | 4 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Forest City 11, Rutherfordton 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 Rutherford 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 | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 7.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 8.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.6%
- Feb6.6%
- Mar5.7%
- Apr9.4%
- May5.7%
- Jun12.3%
- Jul7.5%
- Aug10.4%
- Sep14.2%
- Oct5.7%
- Nov9.4%
- Dec6.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Rutherford County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 41%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 31%, a pedestrian in 11%, a rollover in 3.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 43 | 41% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 33 | 31% |
| Pedestrian | 12 | 11% |
| Other | 11 | 10% |
| Rollover | 4 | 3.8% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 1.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.9% |
| 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 Rutherford County compare with North Carolina
A drinking driver was recorded in 13% of fatal crashes in Rutherford County from 2015 to 2024, below the North Carolina share of 25%; speeding in 35%, above the North Carolina share of 32%; a hit-and-run in 5.7%, about the North Carolina share; a driver recorded as distracted in 9.4%, above the North Carolina share of 6.3%; 43% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below 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.
| Rutherford | North Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 75% | 57% | above the North Carolina share |
| At or near an intersection | 16% | 19% | below the North Carolina share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 39% | 34% | above the North Carolina share |
| A drinking driver | 13% | 25% | below the North Carolina share |
| Speeding | 35% | 32% | above the North Carolina share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 9.4% | 6.3% | above the North Carolina share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 43% | 47% | below the North Carolina share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.7% | 5.1% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| A motorcycle involved | 12% | 14% | below 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 Rutherford County
- How many people died in car accidents in Rutherford County in 2024?
- 16 people died in 11 fatal crashes in Rutherford County, North Carolina, in 2024, 45.5% more than in 2023. That is 24.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina.
- What is the deadliest road in Rutherford County?
- US 64 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rutherford County from 2015 to 2024: 11, with 14 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Rutherford County involved a drinking driver?
- 14 of 106 fatal crashes in Rutherford County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 13%, 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 Rutherford County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Rutherford County (county code 161). 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.