Fatal crashes in Wayne County, North Carolina
In 2024, 21 people died in 20 fatal crashes in Wayne County, 8.7% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 188 fatal crashes and 209 deaths.
17.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina in 2024; 17.3 against 14.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 120,338, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in North Carolina.
Deaths in Wayne County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 | 21 |
| 2023 | 19 | 23 |
| 2022 | 21 | 26 |
| 2021 | 16 | 16 |
| 2020 | 27 | 32 |
| 2019 | 17 | 19 |
| 2018 | 17 | 18 |
| 2017 | 13 | 13 |
| 2016 | 23 | 24 |
| 2015 | 15 | 17 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Wayne County
State Highway 55 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Wayne County from 2015 to 2024: 20, with 27 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 45% of all fatal crashes in Wayne County from 2015 to 2024; 3 US routes, 3 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 | State Highway 55 | 20 | 27 | 4 | |
| 2 | US 70 | 20 | 20 | 9 | |
| 3 | US 13 | 15 | 19 | 6 | |
| 4 | State Highway 111 | 14 | 14 | 5 | no page |
| 5 | US 117 | 10 | 11 | 1 | |
| 6 | State Highway 581 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Goldsboro 27. 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 Wayne County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, midnight to 4 am, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 pm; the worst month is June.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 5.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.6%
- Feb4.8%
- Mar8.5%
- Apr9.0%
- May7.4%
- Jun11.2%
- Jul9.6%
- Aug7.4%
- Sep9.0%
- Oct8.0%
- Nov8.5%
- Dec6.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Wayne 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 cyclist in 3.2%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 83 | 44% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 61 | 32% |
| Pedestrian | 29 | 15% |
| Cyclist | 6 | 3.2% |
| Rollover | 4 | 2.1% |
| Other | 4 | 2.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.5% |
| 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 Wayne County compare with North Carolina
A drinking driver was recorded in 24% of fatal crashes in Wayne County from 2015 to 2024, below the North Carolina share of 25%; speeding in 31%, about the North Carolina share; a hit-and-run in 5.3%, about the North Carolina share; a driver recorded as distracted in 4.3%, below the North Carolina share of 6.3%; 48% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above 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.
| Wayne | North Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 69% | 57% | above the North Carolina share |
| At or near an intersection | 25% | 19% | above the North Carolina share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 43% | 34% | above the North Carolina share |
| A drinking driver | 24% | 25% | below the North Carolina share |
| Speeding | 31% | 32% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.3% | 6.3% | below the North Carolina share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 48% | 47% | above the North Carolina share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.3% | 5.1% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| A motorcycle involved | 10% | 14% | below the North Carolina share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 14% | 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 Wayne County
- How many people died in car accidents in Wayne County in 2024?
- 21 people died in 20 fatal crashes in Wayne County, North Carolina, in 2024, 8.7% fewer than in 2023. That is 17.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina.
- What is the deadliest road in Wayne County?
- State Highway 55 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Wayne County from 2015 to 2024: 20, with 27 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Wayne County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, midnight to 4 am, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Wayne County involved a drinking driver?
- 45 of 188 fatal crashes in Wayne County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 24%, 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 Wayne County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Wayne County (county code 191). 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.