Fatal crashes in Columbia County, Oregon
In 2024, 6 people died in 5 fatal crashes in Columbia County, Oregon, down from 19 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 66 fatal crashes and 67 deaths, the 22nd most of 36 counties in Oregon.
Deaths in Columbia County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 6 |
| 2023 | 19 | 19 |
| 2022 | 3 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 | 3 |
| 2019 | 8 | 8 |
| 2018 | 6 | 6 |
| 2017 | 5 | 5 |
| 2016 | 4 | 4 |
| 2015 | 8 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Columbia County
US 30 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Columbia County from 2015 to 2024: 34, with 35 deaths. The 2 roads listed held 59% of all fatal crashes in Columbia County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 1 state highway. 62% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 38% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 30 | 34 | 35 | 17 | |
| 2 | State Highway 47 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Rainier 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 Columbia County
64 fatal crashes in Columbia County, Oregon 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 August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 9.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.5%
- Feb4.5%
- Mar7.6%
- Apr10.6%
- May6.1%
- Jun10.6%
- Jul6.1%
- Aug12.1%
- Sep10.6%
- Oct10.6%
- Nov7.6%
- Dec9.1%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Columbia 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 21%, a pedestrian in 15%, a rollover in 12%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 29 | 44% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 14 | 21% |
| Pedestrian | 10 | 15% |
| Rollover | 8 | 12% |
| Other | 3 | 4.5% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 3.0% |
| 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 Columbia County compare with Oregon
From 2015 to 2024, every share for Columbia County is within chance of the Oregon share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Oregon. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 66 crashes.
| Columbia | Oregon | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 64% | 55% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| At or near an intersection | 15% | 20% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 31% | 28% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| A drinking driver | 27% | 31% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| Speeding | 38% | 30% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.6% | 5.7% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 44% | 34% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.5% | 4.6% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| A motorcycle involved | 11% | 15% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 15% | 16% | about the same as the Oregon 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 Columbia County, Oregon
- How many people died in car accidents in Columbia County in 2024?
- 6 people died in 5 fatal crashes in Columbia County, Oregon, in 2024, down from 19 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Columbia County?
- US 30 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Columbia County from 2015 to 2024: 34, with 35 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Columbia County involved a drinking driver?
- 18 of 66 fatal crashes in Columbia County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 27%, against 31% across Oregon.
Other counties in Oregon with a page
- Multnomah County
- Lane County
- Marion County
- Clackamas County
- Washington County
- Douglas County
- Jackson County
- Linn County
- Deschutes County
- Josephine County
- Klamath County
- Umatilla County
All fatal crashes in Oregon, with every county ranked.
Where the Columbia County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Columbia County (county code 9). 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/oregon/columbia-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”