Fatal crashes in Watauga County, North Carolina
In 2024, 4 people died in 4 fatal crashes in Watauga County, 20.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 54 fatal crashes and 58 deaths.
Deaths in Watauga County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 4 |
| 2023 | 5 | 5 |
| 2022 | 4 | 4 |
| 2021 | 7 | 8 |
| 2020 | 3 | 3 |
| 2019 | 10 | 10 |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 | 4 |
| 2016 | 5 | 5 |
| 2015 | 9 | 12 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Watauga County
US 421 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Watauga County from 2015 to 2024: 12, with 15 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 50% of all fatal crashes in Watauga County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 1 state highway. 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 421 | 12 | 15 | 4 | |
| 2 | US 321 | 10 | 10 | 4 | |
| 3 | State Highway 105 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Boone 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 Watauga 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 | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 9.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 7.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.6%
- Feb1.9%
- Mar9.3%
- Apr1.9%
- May13.0%
- Jun5.6%
- Jul13.0%
- Aug7.4%
- Sep13.0%
- Oct11.1%
- Nov9.3%
- Dec9.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Watauga County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 35%; a collision with another vehicle in 32%, a rollover in 17%, a pedestrian in 9.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 19 | 35% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 17 | 32% |
| Rollover | 9 | 17% |
| Pedestrian | 5 | 9.3% |
| Other | 4 | 7.4% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Watauga County compare with North Carolina
A drinking driver was recorded in 22% of fatal crashes in Watauga County from 2015 to 2024, below the North Carolina share of 25%; speeding in 22%, below the North Carolina share of 32%; a hit-and-run in 3.7%, below the North Carolina share of 5.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.6%, about the North Carolina share; 38% 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.
| Watauga | North Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 89% | 57% | above the North Carolina share |
| At or near an intersection | 13% | 19% | below the North Carolina share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 26% | 34% | below the North Carolina share |
| A drinking driver | 22% | 25% | below the North Carolina share |
| Speeding | 22% | 32% | below the North Carolina share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.6% | 6.3% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 38% | 47% | below the North Carolina share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.7% | 5.1% | below the North Carolina share |
| A motorcycle involved | 22% | 14% | above the North Carolina share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.6% | 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 Watauga County
- How many people died in car accidents in Watauga County in 2024?
- 4 people died in 4 fatal crashes in Watauga County, North Carolina, in 2024, 20.0% fewer than in 2023.
- What is the deadliest road in Watauga County?
- US 421 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Watauga County from 2015 to 2024: 12, with 15 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Watauga County involved a drinking driver?
- 12 of 54 fatal crashes in Watauga County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 22%, 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 Watauga County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Watauga County (county code 189). 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.