Fatal crashes in Wayne County, Ohio
In 2024, 10 people died in 10 fatal crashes in Wayne County, 56.5% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 142 fatal crashes and 156 deaths, the 19th most of any county in Ohio.
8.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.7 across Ohio in 2024; 13.4 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 116,632, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Ohio.
Deaths in Wayne County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | 10 |
| 2023 | 22 | 23 |
| 2022 | 16 | 17 |
| 2021 | 16 | 19 |
| 2020 | 16 | 18 |
| 2019 | 13 | 13 |
| 2018 | 8 | 9 |
| 2017 | 17 | 20 |
| 2016 | 11 | 13 |
| 2015 | 13 | 14 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Wayne County
State Highway 3 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Wayne County from 2015 to 2024: 13, with 16 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 42% of all fatal crashes in Wayne County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 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.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 3 | 13 | 16 | 3 | |
| 2 | State Highway 83 | 10 | 11 | 7 | |
| 3 | US 250 | 10 | 11 | 1 | no page |
| 4 | US 30 | 10 | 11 | 4 | |
| 5 | State Highway 585 | 6 | 6 | 0 | no page |
| 6 | I-71 | 5 | 6 | 3 | |
| 7 | State Highway 226 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Wooster 9. 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 Wayne County
The heaviest slot is Tuesday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 7.7 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 7.7 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.3%
- Feb4.9%
- Mar7.0%
- Apr7.0%
- May6.3%
- Jun7.7%
- Jul9.9%
- Aug9.2%
- Sep7.7%
- Oct12.0%
- Nov10.6%
- Dec11.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Wayne County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in most fatal crashes, 60%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 24%, a pedestrian in 7.0%, a parked vehicle in 2.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 85 | 60% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 34 | 24% |
| Pedestrian | 10 | 7.0% |
| Other | 8 | 5.6% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 2.1% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.7% |
| Rollover | 1 | 0.7% |
| 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 Wayne County compare with Ohio
A drinking driver was recorded in 27% of fatal crashes in Wayne County from 2015 to 2024, below the Ohio share of 32%; speeding in 21%, below the Ohio share of 23%; a hit-and-run in 0.0%, below the Ohio share of 5.9%; a driver recorded as distracted in 3.5%, below the Ohio share of 5.0%; 45% 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.
| Wayne | Ohio | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 76% | 42% | above the Ohio share |
| At or near an intersection | 37% | 27% | above the Ohio share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 28% | 25% | above the Ohio share |
| A drinking driver | 27% | 32% | below the Ohio share |
| Speeding | 21% | 23% | below the Ohio share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 3.5% | 5.0% | below the Ohio share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 45% | 55% | below the Ohio share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 5.9% | below the Ohio share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 17% | below the Ohio share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 7.1% | 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 Wayne County
- How many people died in car accidents in Wayne County in 2024?
- 10 people died in 10 fatal crashes in Wayne County, Ohio, in 2024, 56.5% fewer than in 2023. That is 8.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.7 across Ohio.
- What is the deadliest road in Wayne County?
- State Highway 3 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Wayne County from 2015 to 2024: 13, with 16 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Wayne County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Tuesday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Wayne County involved a drinking driver?
- 38 of 142 fatal crashes in Wayne County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 27%, 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 Wayne County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Wayne County (county code 169). 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.