Fatal crashes in Clark County, Ohio
In 2024, 18 people died in 17 fatal crashes in Clark County, 5.3% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 171 fatal crashes and 183 deaths, the 12th most of any county in Ohio.
13.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.7 across Ohio in 2024; 13.6 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 134,985, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Ohio.
Deaths in Clark County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 | 18 |
| 2023 | 18 | 19 |
| 2022 | 17 | 22 |
| 2021 | 22 | 23 |
| 2020 | 23 | 23 |
| 2019 | 8 | 8 |
| 2018 | 16 | 17 |
| 2017 | 15 | 17 |
| 2016 | 12 | 12 |
| 2015 | 23 | 24 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Clark County
I-70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Clark County from 2015 to 2024: 18, with 18 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 36% of all fatal crashes in Clark County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 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 | I-70 | 18 | 18 | 6 | |
| 2 | US 40 | 16 | 17 | 6 | |
| 3 | State Highway 72 | 9 | 9 | 6 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 41 | 8 | 8 | 2 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 235 | 6 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | US 68 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Springfield 48. 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 Clark County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 7 pm to 8 pm; the worst month is May.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 3.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan3.5%
- Feb8.2%
- Mar7.6%
- Apr8.8%
- May11.7%
- Jun8.8%
- Jul8.8%
- Aug9.4%
- Sep7.0%
- Oct11.1%
- Nov5.8%
- Dec9.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Clark County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 42%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 34%, a pedestrian in 15%, a parked vehicle in 4.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 71 | 42% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 58 | 34% |
| Pedestrian | 26 | 15% |
| Parked vehicle | 7 | 4.1% |
| Rollover | 4 | 2.3% |
| Other | 3 | 1.8% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 1.2% |
| 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 Clark County compare with Ohio
A drinking driver was recorded in 28% of fatal crashes in Clark County from 2015 to 2024, below the Ohio share of 32%; speeding in 18%, below the Ohio share of 23%; a hit-and-run in 5.3%, about the Ohio share; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.8%, about the Ohio share; 51% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Ohio share of 55%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Ohio. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Clark | Ohio | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 32% | 42% | below the Ohio share |
| At or near an intersection | 26% | 27% | about the same as the Ohio share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 27% | 25% | above the Ohio share |
| A drinking driver | 28% | 32% | below the Ohio share |
| Speeding | 18% | 23% | below the Ohio share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.8% | 5.0% | about the same as the Ohio share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 51% | 55% | below the Ohio share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.3% | 5.9% | about the same as the Ohio share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 17% | below the Ohio share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 15% | 12% | above the Ohio 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 Clark County
- How many people died in car accidents in Clark County in 2024?
- 18 people died in 17 fatal crashes in Clark County, Ohio, in 2024, 5.3% fewer than in 2023. That is 13.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.7 across Ohio.
- What is the deadliest road in Clark County?
- I-70 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Clark County from 2015 to 2024: 18, with 18 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Clark County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Clark County involved a drinking driver?
- 47 of 171 fatal crashes in Clark County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 28%, against 32% across Ohio.
Other counties in Ohio with a page
- Franklin County
- Cuyahoga County
- Hamilton County
- Montgomery County
- Lucas County
- Summit County
- Stark County
- Butler County
- Lorain County
- Licking County
- Mahoning County
- Trumbull County
All fatal crashes in Ohio, with every county ranked.
Where the Clark County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Clark County (county code 23). 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.