Fatal crashes in Defiance County, Ohio
In 2024, 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Defiance County, Ohio, up from 1 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 51 fatal crashes and 52 deaths, the 68th most of 88 counties in Ohio.
Deaths in Defiance County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 6 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 |
| 2021 | 9 | 9 |
| 2020 | 2 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 | 4 |
| 2017 | 9 | 9 |
| 2016 | 6 | 6 |
| 2015 | 6 | 7 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Defiance County
US 24 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Defiance County from 2015 to 2024: 10, with 10 deaths. The 2 roads listed held 31% of all fatal crashes in Defiance County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 1 state highway. 61% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 39% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 24 | 10 | 10 | 2 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 15 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Defiance 7. 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 Defiance County
51 fatal crashes in Defiance County, Ohio 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 4 pm to 5 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 | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 9.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 9.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.8%
- Feb11.8%
- Mar2.0%
- Apr7.8%
- May13.7%
- Jun9.8%
- Jul5.9%
- Aug9.8%
- Sep7.8%
- Oct13.7%
- Nov3.9%
- Dec5.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Defiance County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 43%; a collision with another vehicle in 39%, a pedestrian in 3.9%, a rollover in 3.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 22 | 43% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 20 | 39% |
| Pedestrian | 2 | 3.9% |
| Rollover | 2 | 3.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 3.9% |
| Other | 2 | 3.9% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 2.0% |
| 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 Defiance County compare with Ohio
The largest difference from Ohio: from 2015 to 2024, 69% of fatal crashes in Defiance County were on rural roads, against 42% across Ohio. Also above the Ohio share: unlit roads at night. Below it: unbelted occupants. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Ohio. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 51 crashes.
| Defiance | Ohio | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 69% | 42% | above the Ohio share |
| At or near an intersection | 18% | 27% | about the same as the Ohio share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 37% | 25% | above the Ohio share |
| A drinking driver | 35% | 32% | about the same as the Ohio share |
| Speeding | 20% | 23% | about the same as the Ohio share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 2.0% | 5.0% | about the same as the Ohio share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 38% | 55% | below the Ohio share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.0% | 5.9% | about the same as the Ohio share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 17% | about the same as the Ohio share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 3.8% | 12% | about the same as 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 Defiance County, Ohio
- How many people died in car accidents in Defiance County in 2024?
- 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Defiance County, Ohio, in 2024, up from 1 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Defiance County?
- US 24 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Defiance County from 2015 to 2024: 10, with 10 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Defiance County involved a drinking driver?
- 18 of 51 fatal crashes in Defiance County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 35%, 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
- Clark County
All fatal crashes in Ohio, with every county ranked.
Where the Defiance County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Defiance County (county code 39). 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/ohio/defiance-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”