Fatal crashes in Williams County, North Dakota
In 2024, 7 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Williams County, 12.5% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 67 fatal crashes and 77 deaths, the 2nd most of any county in North Dakota.
Deaths in Williams County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 7 |
| 2023 | 6 | 8 |
| 2022 | 8 | 8 |
| 2021 | 4 | 5 |
| 2020 | 7 | 8 |
| 2019 | 6 | 6 |
| 2018 | 9 | 10 |
| 2017 | 6 | 6 |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 |
| 2015 | 13 | 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 Williams County
US 2 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Williams County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 24 deaths. The 2 roads listed held 43% of all fatal crashes in Williams County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 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 2 | 19 | 24 | 2 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 1804 | 10 | 12 | 5 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Williston 12. 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 Williams 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 | 4.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 4.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 10.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.0%
- Feb4.5%
- Mar6.0%
- Apr6.0%
- May9.0%
- Jun4.5%
- Jul17.9%
- Aug14.9%
- Sep17.9%
- Oct3.0%
- Nov4.5%
- Dec6.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Williams County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 46%; a rollover in 22%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 19%, a pedestrian in 3.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 31 | 46% |
| Rollover | 15 | 22% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 13 | 19% |
| Other | 6 | 9.0% |
| Pedestrian | 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 Williams County compare with North Dakota
A drinking driver was recorded in 42% of fatal crashes in Williams County from 2015 to 2024, above the North Dakota share of 40%; speeding in 22%, below the North Dakota share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 0.0%, below the North Dakota share of 2.7%; a driver recorded as distracted in 3.0%, below the North Dakota share of 6.3%; 71% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above 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.
| Williams | North Dakota | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 90% | 85% | above the North Dakota share |
| At or near an intersection | 19% | 23% | below the North Dakota share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 40% | 29% | above the North Dakota share |
| A drinking driver | 42% | 40% | above the North Dakota share |
| Speeding | 22% | 27% | below the North Dakota share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 3.0% | 6.3% | below the North Dakota share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 71% | 62% | above the North Dakota share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 2.7% | below the North Dakota share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 14% | above the North Dakota share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 2.6% | 6.5% | below 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 Williams County
- How many people died in car accidents in Williams County in 2024?
- 7 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Williams County, North Dakota, in 2024, 12.5% fewer than in 2023.
- What is the deadliest road in Williams County?
- US 2 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Williams County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 24 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Williams County involved a drinking driver?
- 28 of 67 fatal crashes in Williams County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 42%, 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 Williams County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Williams County (county code 105). 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.