Fatal crashes in Wake County, North Carolina
In 2024, 83 people died in 76 fatal crashes in Wake County, North Carolina, 17.8% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 718 fatal crashes and 772 deaths, the 2nd most of 100 counties in North Carolina.
6.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina in 2024; 6.9 against 14.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 1,232,444, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in North Carolina.
Deaths in Wake County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 76 | 83 |
| 2023 | 92 | 101 |
| 2022 | 91 | 97 |
| 2021 | 77 | 86 |
| 2020 | 62 | 65 |
| 2019 | 74 | 75 |
| 2018 | 60 | 66 |
| 2017 | 49 | 53 |
| 2016 | 74 | 81 |
| 2015 | 63 | 65 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Wake County
US 401 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Wake County from 2015 to 2024: 54, with 60 deaths. The 13 roads listed held 39% of all fatal crashes in Wake County from 2015 to 2024; 4 are interstates, 4 US routes, 5 state highways. 43% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 57% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 401 | 54 | 60 | 17 | |
| 2 | I-40 | 46 | 51 | 12 | |
| 3 | US 1 | 38 | 38 | 19 | |
| 4 | US 70 | 31 | 34 | 13 | |
| 5 | US 64 | 24 | 25 | 6 | |
| 6 | I-440 | 21 | 26 | 10 | no page |
| 7 | I-540 | 18 | 19 | 8 | no page |
| 8 | I-87 | 11 | 14 | 3 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 96 | 10 | 12 | 3 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 50 | 9 | 9 | 4 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 98 | 8 | 11 | 3 | no page |
| 12 | State Highway 540 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 13 | State Highway 55 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
Raleigh had 40% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 286 of 718.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Raleigh 286, Garner 29, Cary 23, Wake Forest 12, Holly Springs 9, Zebulon 7, Apex 7, Fuquay-Varina 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 Wake County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 37 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 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 | 4.9 percent, 35 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 26 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.1 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.4 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 25 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 37 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 30 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.1%
- Feb8.2%
- Mar8.8%
- Apr8.6%
- May8.4%
- Jun7.9%
- Jul8.4%
- Aug8.1%
- Sep8.4%
- Oct8.9%
- Nov9.6%
- Dec6.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Wake County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 39%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 29%, a pedestrian in 24%, a rollover in 2.6%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 278 | 39% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 211 | 29% |
| Pedestrian | 173 | 24% |
| Rollover | 19 | 2.6% |
| Cyclist | 17 | 2.4% |
| Other | 15 | 2.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 5 | 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 Wake County compare with North Carolina
The largest difference from North Carolina: from 2015 to 2024, 26% of fatal crashes in Wake County were on rural roads, against 57% across North Carolina. Also above the North Carolina share: intersections and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of North Carolina. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 718 crashes.
| Wake | North Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 26% | 57% | below the North Carolina share |
| At or near an intersection | 23% | 19% | above the North Carolina share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 35% | 34% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| A drinking driver | 27% | 25% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| Speeding | 35% | 32% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.5% | 6.3% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 45% | 47% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| Hit-and-run | 6.7% | 5.1% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 14% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 23% | 15% | above 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 Wake County, North Carolina
- How many people died in car accidents in Wake County in 2024?
- 83 people died in 76 fatal crashes in Wake County, North Carolina, in 2024, 17.8% fewer than in 2023. That is 6.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Wake County?
- US 401 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Wake County from 2015 to 2024: 54, with 60 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Wake County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 37 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Wake County involved a drinking driver?
- 191 of 718 fatal crashes in Wake County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 27%, against 25% across North Carolina.
Other counties in North Carolina with a page
- Mecklenburg County
- Guilford County
- Robeson County
- Cumberland County
- Forsyth County
- Buncombe County
- Johnston County
- Durham County
- Davidson County
- Gaston County
- Harnett County
- Randolph County
All fatal crashes in North Carolina, with every county ranked.
Where the Wake County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Wake County (county code 183). 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. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/north-carolina/wake-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”