Fatal crashes in Wilkes County, North Carolina
In 2024, 17 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Wilkes County, North Carolina, up from 8 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 120 fatal crashes and 129 deaths, the 44th most of 100 counties in North Carolina.
25.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina in 2024; 19.2 against 14.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 66,186, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in North Carolina.
Deaths in Wilkes County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 | 17 |
| 2023 | 7 | 8 |
| 2022 | 17 | 17 |
| 2021 | 15 | 18 |
| 2020 | 13 | 13 |
| 2019 | 11 | 13 |
| 2018 | 8 | 8 |
| 2017 | 12 | 12 |
| 2016 | 11 | 11 |
| 2015 | 10 | 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 Wilkes County
US 421 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Wilkes County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 19 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 44% of all fatal crashes in Wilkes County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 3 state highways. 55% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 45% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 421 | 19 | 19 | 6 | |
| 2 | State Highway 18 | 14 | 16 | 4 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 268 | 11 | 11 | 4 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 16 | 9 | 9 | 5 |
Wilkesboro had 12% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 14 of 120.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Wilkesboro 14. 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 Wilkes County
119 fatal crashes in Wilkes County, North Carolina from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 pm; the worst month is January.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Wed | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 7.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash |
By hour
By month
- Jan10.8%
- Feb6.7%
- Mar4.2%
- Apr6.7%
- May10.8%
- Jun9.2%
- Jul9.2%
- Aug10.8%
- Sep6.7%
- Oct10.8%
- Nov9.2%
- Dec5.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Wilkes County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 48%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 30%, a pedestrian in 9.2%, a rollover in 9.2%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 57 | 48% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 36 | 30% |
| Pedestrian | 11 | 9.2% |
| Rollover | 11 | 9.2% |
| Other | 4 | 3.3% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.8% |
| 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 Wilkes County compare with North Carolina
The largest difference from North Carolina: from 2015 to 2024, 74% of fatal crashes in Wilkes County were on rural roads, against 57% across North Carolina. Also above the North Carolina share: distracted drivers and motorcycles. Below it: unbelted occupants. 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 120 crashes.
| Wilkes | North Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 74% | 57% | above the North Carolina share |
| At or near an intersection | 15% | 19% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 29% | 34% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| A drinking driver | 21% | 25% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| Speeding | 26% | 32% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 13% | 6.3% | above the North Carolina share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 33% | 47% | below the North Carolina share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.3% | 5.1% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| A motorcycle involved | 23% | 14% | above the North Carolina share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 9.3% | 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 Wilkes County, North Carolina
- How many people died in car accidents in Wilkes County in 2024?
- 17 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Wilkes County, North Carolina, in 2024, up from 8 in 2023. That is 25.7 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 Wilkes County?
- US 421 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Wilkes County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 19 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Wilkes County involved a drinking driver?
- 25 of 120 fatal crashes in Wilkes County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 21%, 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 Wilkes County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Wilkes County (county code 193). 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/wilkes-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”