Fatal crashes in McKenzie County, North Dakota
In 2024, 5 people died in 5 fatal crashes in McKenzie County, North Dakota, the same as in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 66 fatal crashes and 79 deaths, the 3rd most of 53 counties in North Dakota.
Deaths in McKenzie County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 5 |
| 2023 | 4 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 | 6 |
| 2021 | 4 | 4 |
| 2020 | 5 | 6 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 |
| 2018 | 5 | 7 |
| 2017 | 8 | 9 |
| 2016 | 8 | 8 |
| 2015 | 11 | 18 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in McKenzie County
US 85 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in McKenzie County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 19 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 55% of all fatal crashes in McKenzie County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 2 state highways. 79% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 21% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 85 | 16 | 19 | 2 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 23 | 15 | 18 | 6 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 22 | 5 | 5 | 0 | no page |
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 McKenzie County
64 fatal crashes in McKenzie County, North Dakota 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 7 am to 8 am; 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 | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan13.6%
- Feb4.5%
- Mar9.1%
- Apr3.0%
- May3.0%
- Jun9.1%
- Jul10.6%
- Aug7.6%
- Sep12.1%
- Oct12.1%
- Nov6.1%
- Dec9.1%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in McKenzie County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in most fatal crashes, 59%; a rollover in 21%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 12%, a pedestrian in 4.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 39 | 59% |
| Rollover | 14 | 21% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 8 | 12% |
| Pedestrian | 3 | 4.5% |
| Other | 2 | 3.0% |
| 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 McKenzie County compare with North Dakota
The largest difference from North Dakota: from 2015 to 2024, 42% of fatal crashes in McKenzie County were with speeding recorded, against 27% across North Dakota. Also above the North Dakota share: rural roads. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of North Dakota. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 66 crashes.
| McKenzie | North Dakota | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 99% | 85% | above the North Dakota share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 23% | about the same as the North Dakota share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 39% | 29% | about the same as the North Dakota share |
| A drinking driver | 35% | 40% | about the same as the North Dakota share |
| Speeding | 42% | 27% | above the North Dakota share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.5% | 6.3% | about the same as the North Dakota share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 60% | 62% | about the same as the North Dakota share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 2.7% | about the same as the North Dakota share |
| A motorcycle involved | 6.1% | 14% | about the same as the North Dakota share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 3.8% | 6.5% | about the same as the North Dakota 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 McKenzie County, North Dakota
- How many people died in car accidents in McKenzie County in 2024?
- 5 people died in 5 fatal crashes in McKenzie County, North Dakota, in 2024, the same as in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in McKenzie County?
- US 85 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in McKenzie County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 19 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in McKenzie County involved a drinking driver?
- 23 of 66 fatal crashes in McKenzie County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 35%, against 40% across North Dakota.
Other counties in North Dakota with a page
All fatal crashes in North Dakota, with every county ranked.
Where the McKenzie County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in McKenzie County (county code 53). 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-dakota/mckenzie-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”