Fatal crashes in Licking County, Ohio
In 2024, 17 people died in 17 fatal crashes in Licking County, 26.1% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 204 fatal crashes and 221 deaths, the 10th most of any county in Ohio.
9.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.7 across Ohio in 2024; 12.4 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 184,898, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Ohio.
Deaths in Licking County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 | 17 |
| 2023 | 17 | 23 |
| 2022 | 17 | 17 |
| 2021 | 24 | 25 |
| 2020 | 15 | 17 |
| 2019 | 24 | 28 |
| 2018 | 21 | 21 |
| 2017 | 29 | 30 |
| 2016 | 19 | 20 |
| 2015 | 21 | 23 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Licking County
State Highway 79 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Licking County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 20 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 54% of all fatal crashes in Licking County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 5 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 | State Highway 79 | 19 | 20 | 10 | no page |
| 2 | US 62 | 18 | 18 | 2 | |
| 3 | US 40 | 17 | 20 | 2 | |
| 4 | State Highway 16 | 17 | 18 | 5 | |
| 5 | I-70 | 12 | 18 | 3 | |
| 6 | State Highway 37 | 10 | 11 | 2 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 13 | 9 | 9 | 2 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 661 | 8 | 8 | 4 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Newark 20, Pataskala 10, Heath 8, Etna 6. 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 Licking County
The heaviest slot is Monday, noon to 4 pm, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. 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 | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.3%
- Feb6.9%
- Mar4.9%
- Apr4.9%
- May11.3%
- Jun10.8%
- Jul9.3%
- Aug9.3%
- Sep9.3%
- Oct4.9%
- Nov9.8%
- Dec9.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Licking County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 49%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 34%, a pedestrian in 6.9%, a rollover in 3.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 100 | 49% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 69 | 34% |
| Pedestrian | 14 | 6.9% |
| Rollover | 7 | 3.4% |
| Other | 6 | 2.9% |
| Cyclist | 4 | 2.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 4 | 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 Licking County compare with Ohio
A drinking driver was recorded in 28% of fatal crashes in Licking County from 2015 to 2024, below the Ohio share of 32%; speeding in 24%, above the Ohio share of 23%; a hit-and-run in 2.9%, below the Ohio share of 5.9%; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.4%, about the Ohio share; 44% 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.
| Licking | Ohio | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 63% | 42% | above the Ohio share |
| At or near an intersection | 20% | 27% | below the Ohio share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 26% | 25% | about the same as the Ohio share |
| A drinking driver | 28% | 32% | below the Ohio share |
| Speeding | 24% | 23% | above the Ohio share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.4% | 5.0% | about the same as the Ohio share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 44% | 55% | below the Ohio share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.9% | 5.9% | below the Ohio share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 17% | above the Ohio share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 6.3% | 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 Licking County
- How many people died in car accidents in Licking County in 2024?
- 17 people died in 17 fatal crashes in Licking County, Ohio, in 2024, 26.1% fewer than in 2023. That is 9.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.7 across Ohio.
- What is the deadliest road in Licking County?
- State Highway 79 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Licking County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 20 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Licking County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Monday, noon to 4 pm, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Licking County involved a drinking driver?
- 56 of 204 fatal crashes in Licking 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
- Mahoning County
- Clark County
- Trumbull County
All fatal crashes in Ohio, with every county ranked.
Where the Licking County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Licking County (county code 89). 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.