Fatal crashes in Ward County, North Dakota
In 2024, 2 people died in 2 fatal crashes in Ward County, 80.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 55 fatal crashes and 62 deaths, the 5th most of any county in North Dakota.
Deaths in Ward County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 2 |
| 2023 | 8 | 10 |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 |
| 2021 | 3 | 3 |
| 2020 | 8 | 8 |
| 2019 | 4 | 6 |
| 2018 | 6 | 7 |
| 2017 | 6 | 7 |
| 2016 | 5 | 6 |
| 2015 | 8 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Ward County
US 83 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Ward County from 2015 to 2024: 12, with 13 deaths. The 2 roads listed held 33% of all fatal crashes in Ward County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes. 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 83 | 12 | 13 | 4 | no page |
| 2 | US 52 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Minot 10. 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 Ward 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 | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 7.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 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 | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 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 |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 9.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 9.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan1.8%
- Feb7.3%
- Mar7.3%
- Apr5.5%
- May9.1%
- Jun16.4%
- Jul7.3%
- Aug18.2%
- Sep5.5%
- Oct5.5%
- Nov12.7%
- Dec3.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Ward 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 22%, a rollover in 11%, a pedestrian in 9.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 24 | 44% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 12 | 22% |
| Rollover | 6 | 11% |
| Other | 6 | 11% |
| Pedestrian | 5 | 9.1% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.8% |
| 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 Ward County compare with North Dakota
A drinking driver was recorded in 26% of fatal crashes in Ward County from 2015 to 2024, below the North Dakota share of 40%; speeding in 29%, above the North Dakota share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 1.8%, about the North Dakota share; a driver recorded as distracted in 7.3%, about the North Dakota share; 50% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the North Dakota share of 62%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of North Dakota. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Ward | North Dakota | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 80% | 85% | below the North Dakota share |
| At or near an intersection | 35% | 23% | above the North Dakota share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 24% | 29% | below the North Dakota share |
| A drinking driver | 26% | 40% | below the North Dakota share |
| Speeding | 29% | 27% | above the North Dakota share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.3% | 6.3% | about the same as the North Dakota share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 50% | 62% | below the North Dakota share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.8% | 2.7% | about the same as the North Dakota share |
| A motorcycle involved | 24% | 14% | above the North Dakota share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.1% | 6.5% | above 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 Ward County
- How many people died in car accidents in Ward County in 2024?
- 2 people died in 2 fatal crashes in Ward County, North Dakota, in 2024, 80.0% fewer than in 2023.
- What is the deadliest road in Ward County?
- US 83 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Ward County from 2015 to 2024: 12, with 13 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Ward County involved a drinking driver?
- 14 of 55 fatal crashes in Ward County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 26%, 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 Ward County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Ward County (county code 101). 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.