Fatal Crash Data

Fatal crashes in Fairfield County, Ohio

In 2024, 13 people died in 13 fatal crashes in Fairfield County, 13.3% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 135 fatal crashes and 148 deaths.

7.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.7 across Ohio in 2024; 9.3 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 167,762, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Ohio.

Deaths in Fairfield County by year

1020201620182020202220242021: 212024: 13
YearFatal crashesDeaths
20241313
20231515
20221212
20211721
20201616
20191316
20181415
20171114
20161112
20151314

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

The deadliest roads in Fairfield County

US 22 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Fairfield County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 19 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 51% of all fatal crashes in Fairfield County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 4 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.

RoadFatal crashesDeaths2022 to 2024
1US 2216193
2State Highway 3714156no page
3US 3312123
4State Highway 18811114no page
5State Highway 15810142no page
6State Highway 256661no page

Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Lancaster 16, Pickerington 5. 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 Fairfield County

Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.

Share of fatal crashes in Fairfield County by weekday and time of day, 2015 to 2024, in percent
Midnight to 44 to 8 am8 to noonNoon to 44 to 8 pm8 to midnight
Sun0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes3.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes
Mon0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes3.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes5.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes3.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes
Tue0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes3.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes
Wed0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes2.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes2.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes
Thu0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes5.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes3.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes
Fri3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes3.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes3.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes4.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes
Sat2.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes2.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes3.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes4.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes

By hour

By month

  • Jan5.9%
  • Feb4.4%
  • Mar6.7%
  • Apr8.9%
  • May8.1%
  • Jun11.1%
  • Jul9.6%
  • Aug9.6%
  • Sep12.6%
  • Oct9.6%
  • Nov8.1%
  • Dec5.2%

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

What fatal crashes in Fairfield 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 36%, a rollover in 8.1%, a pedestrian in 3.7%.

First harmful eventFatal crashesShare
Collision with another vehicle5944%
Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch)4836%
Rollover118.1%
Other64.4%
Pedestrian53.7%
Cyclist43.0%
Parked vehicle10.7%
Not reported10.7%

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

How fatal crashes in Fairfield County compare with Ohio

A drinking driver was recorded in 39% of fatal crashes in Fairfield County from 2015 to 2024, above the Ohio share of 32%; speeding in 13%, below the Ohio share of 23%; a hit-and-run in 1.5%, below the Ohio share of 5.9%; a driver recorded as distracted in 2.2%, below the Ohio share of 5.0%; 59% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above 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.

FairfieldOhio
On rural roads63%42%above the Ohio share
At or near an intersection20%27%below the Ohio share
In the dark, road unlit30%25%above the Ohio share
A drinking driver39%32%above the Ohio share
Speeding13%23%below the Ohio share
A distracted driver (as recorded)2.2%5.0%below the Ohio share
Occupants killed unbelted59%55%above the Ohio share
Hit-and-run1.5%5.9%below the Ohio share
A motorcycle involved24%17%above the Ohio share
Pedestrians among the dead4.7%12%below 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 Fairfield County

How many people died in car accidents in Fairfield County in 2024?
13 people died in 13 fatal crashes in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 2024, 13.3% fewer than in 2023. That is 7.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.7 across Ohio.
What is the deadliest road in Fairfield County?
US 22 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Fairfield County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 19 deaths.
How many fatal crashes in Fairfield County involved a drinking driver?
53 of 135 fatal crashes in Fairfield County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 39%, against 32% across Ohio.

Other counties in Ohio with a page

All fatal crashes in Ohio, with every county ranked.

Where the Fairfield County numbers come from

Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Fairfield County (county code 45). 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.