Fatal crashes in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma
In 2024, 12 people died in 11 fatal crashes in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, down from 18 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 142 fatal crashes and 155 deaths, the 6th most of 77 counties in Oklahoma.
16.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.7 across Oklahoma in 2024; 21.3 against 17 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 74,446, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Oklahoma.
Deaths in Pottawatomie County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | 12 |
| 2023 | 17 | 18 |
| 2022 | 9 | 11 |
| 2021 | 15 | 18 |
| 2020 | 11 | 12 |
| 2019 | 17 | 19 |
| 2018 | 12 | 12 |
| 2017 | 11 | 12 |
| 2016 | 19 | 21 |
| 2015 | 20 | 20 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Pottawatomie County
US 177 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Pottawatomie County from 2015 to 2024: 28, with 33 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 56% of all fatal crashes in Pottawatomie County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 3 state highways. 68% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 32% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 177 | 28 | 33 | 5 | |
| 2 | I-40 | 16 | 16 | 4 | |
| 3 | State Highway 18 | 11 | 11 | 2 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 39 | 11 | 11 | 3 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 9 | 9 | 10 | 3 | |
| 6 | US 270 | 5 | 8 | 3 |
Shawnee had 24% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 34 of 142.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Shawnee 34, Tecumseh 8. 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 Pottawatomie County
140 fatal crashes in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma 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 5 pm to 6 pm; the worst month is June.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.9%
- Feb5.6%
- Mar7.7%
- Apr7.0%
- May10.6%
- Jun12.0%
- Jul7.0%
- Aug7.0%
- Sep9.2%
- Oct7.7%
- Nov9.9%
- Dec6.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Pottawatomie County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 42%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 29%, a pedestrian in 13%, a rollover in 11%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 59 | 42% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 41 | 29% |
| Pedestrian | 19 | 13% |
| Rollover | 15 | 11% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 3.5% |
| Other | 3 | 2.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Pottawatomie County compare with Oklahoma
The largest difference from Oklahoma: from 2015 to 2024, 43% of fatal crashes in Pottawatomie County were in the dark on unlit roads, against 34% across Oklahoma. Also above the Oklahoma share: hit-and-runs. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Oklahoma. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 142 crashes.
| Pottawatomie | Oklahoma | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 66% | 60% | about the same as the Oklahoma share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 21% | about the same as the Oklahoma share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 43% | 34% | above the Oklahoma share |
| A drinking driver | 21% | 27% | about the same as the Oklahoma share |
| Speeding | 21% | 26% | about the same as the Oklahoma share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.7% | 8.5% | about the same as the Oklahoma share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 49% | 53% | about the same as the Oklahoma share |
| Hit-and-run | 9.2% | 4.9% | above the Oklahoma share |
| A motorcycle involved | 11% | 14% | about the same as the Oklahoma share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 12% | 12% | about the same as 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 Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma
- How many people died in car accidents in Pottawatomie County in 2024?
- 12 people died in 11 fatal crashes in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, in 2024, down from 18 in 2023. That is 16.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.7 across Oklahoma. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Pottawatomie County?
- US 177 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Pottawatomie County from 2015 to 2024: 28, with 33 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Pottawatomie County involved a drinking driver?
- 30 of 142 fatal crashes in Pottawatomie County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 21%, against 27% across Oklahoma.
Other counties in Oklahoma with a page
- Oklahoma County
- Tulsa County
- Cleveland County
- Canadian County
- Rogers County
- Creek County
- Grady County
- Payne County
- McCurtain County
- Le Flore County
- Bryan County
- Mayes County
All fatal crashes in Oklahoma, with every county ranked.
Where the Pottawatomie County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Pottawatomie County (county code 125). 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/oklahoma/pottawatomie-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”