Fatal crashes in Cherokee County, Oklahoma
In 2024, 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Cherokee County, 33.3% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 76 fatal crashes and 86 deaths.
Deaths in Cherokee County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 6 |
| 2023 | 9 | 9 |
| 2022 | 7 | 7 |
| 2021 | 9 | 9 |
| 2020 | 6 | 7 |
| 2019 | 8 | 9 |
| 2018 | 10 | 11 |
| 2017 | 7 | 11 |
| 2016 | 8 | 10 |
| 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 Cherokee County
State Highway 82 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Cherokee County from 2015 to 2024: 14, with 17 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 51% of all fatal crashes in Cherokee County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 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 | State Highway 82 | 14 | 17 | 2 | no page |
| 2 | US 62 | 13 | 14 | 5 | |
| 3 | State Highway 51 | 6 | 7 | 2 | |
| 4 | State Highway 10 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Tahlequah 11. 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 Cherokee County
Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 9.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan3.9%
- Feb5.3%
- Mar5.3%
- Apr11.8%
- May7.9%
- Jun10.5%
- Jul9.2%
- Aug7.9%
- Sep10.5%
- Oct11.8%
- Nov2.6%
- Dec13.2%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Cherokee County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 38%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 36%, a rollover in 15%, a pedestrian in 7.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 29 | 38% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 27 | 36% |
| Rollover | 11 | 15% |
| Pedestrian | 6 | 7.9% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.3% |
| Other | 1 | 1.3% |
| 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 Cherokee County compare with Oklahoma
A drinking driver was recorded in 17% of fatal crashes in Cherokee County from 2015 to 2024, below the Oklahoma share of 27%; speeding in 32%, above the Oklahoma share of 26%; a hit-and-run in 3.9%, below the Oklahoma share of 4.9%; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.3%, below the Oklahoma share of 8.5%; 54% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, about the Oklahoma share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Oklahoma. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Cherokee | Oklahoma | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 84% | 60% | above the Oklahoma share |
| At or near an intersection | 25% | 21% | above the Oklahoma share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 26% | 34% | below the Oklahoma share |
| A drinking driver | 17% | 27% | below the Oklahoma share |
| Speeding | 32% | 26% | above the Oklahoma share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.3% | 8.5% | below the Oklahoma share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 54% | 53% | about the same as the Oklahoma share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.9% | 4.9% | below the Oklahoma share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 14% | above the Oklahoma share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 7.0% | 12% | below the Oklahoma 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 Cherokee County
- How many people died in car accidents in Cherokee County in 2024?
- 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Cherokee County, Oklahoma, in 2024, 33.3% fewer than in 2023.
- What is the deadliest road in Cherokee County?
- State Highway 82 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Cherokee County from 2015 to 2024: 14, with 17 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Cherokee County involved a drinking driver?
- 13 of 76 fatal crashes in Cherokee County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 17%, against 27% across Oklahoma.
Other counties in Oklahoma with a page
- Oklahoma County
- Tulsa County
- Cleveland County
- Canadian County
- Rogers County
- Pottawatomie County
- Creek County
- Grady County
- Payne County
- McCurtain County
- Le Flore County
- Bryan County
All fatal crashes in Oklahoma, with every county ranked.
Where the Cherokee County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Cherokee County (county code 21). 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.