Fatal crashes in Deschutes County, Oregon
In 2024, 17 people died in 15 fatal crashes in Deschutes County, Oregon, 26.1% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 184 fatal crashes and 209 deaths, the 9th most of 36 counties in Oregon.
8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.6 across Oregon in 2024; 10.6 against 12.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 211,535, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Oregon.
Deaths in Deschutes County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 | 17 |
| 2023 | 19 | 23 |
| 2022 | 22 | 24 |
| 2021 | 18 | 19 |
| 2020 | 24 | 30 |
| 2019 | 18 | 21 |
| 2018 | 17 | 17 |
| 2017 | 19 | 21 |
| 2016 | 21 | 24 |
| 2015 | 11 | 13 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Deschutes County
US 97 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Deschutes County from 2015 to 2024: 64, with 76 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 58% of all fatal crashes in Deschutes County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 1 state highway. 60% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 40% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 97 | 64 | 76 | 21 | |
| 2 | US 20 | 34 | 39 | 9 | |
| 3 | State Highway 126 | 8 | 10 | 1 |
Bend had 20% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 37 of 184.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Bend 37, Redmond 19. 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 Deschutes County
The heaviest slot is Friday, noon to 4 pm, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is December.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.5%
- Feb4.9%
- Mar8.2%
- Apr6.5%
- May3.8%
- Jun11.4%
- Jul10.3%
- Aug7.1%
- Sep8.7%
- Oct7.1%
- Nov10.3%
- Dec15.2%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Deschutes County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 50%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 16%, a pedestrian in 15%, a rollover in 10%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 91 | 50% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 30 | 16% |
| Pedestrian | 27 | 15% |
| Rollover | 19 | 10% |
| Other | 8 | 4.3% |
| Cyclist | 7 | 3.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.5% |
| Not reported | 1 | 0.5% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Deschutes County compare with Oregon
The largest difference from Oregon: from 2015 to 2024, 22% of occupants killed in Deschutes County were unbelted, against 34% across Oregon. Also above the Oregon share: unlit roads at night. 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 184 crashes.
| Deschutes | Oregon | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 57% | 55% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| At or near an intersection | 24% | 20% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 36% | 28% | above the Oregon share |
| A drinking driver | 28% | 31% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| Speeding | 26% | 30% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.4% | 5.7% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 22% | 34% | below the Oregon share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.2% | 4.6% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 15% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 13% | 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 Deschutes County, Oregon
- How many people died in car accidents in Deschutes County in 2024?
- 17 people died in 15 fatal crashes in Deschutes County, Oregon, in 2024, 26.1% fewer than in 2023. That is 8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.6 across Oregon. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Deschutes County?
- US 97 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Deschutes County from 2015 to 2024: 64, with 76 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Deschutes County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, noon to 4 pm, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Deschutes County involved a drinking driver?
- 52 of 184 fatal crashes in Deschutes County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 28%, 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
- Josephine County
- Klamath County
- Umatilla County
- Coos County
All fatal crashes in Oregon, with every county ranked.
Where the Deschutes County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Deschutes County (county code 17). 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/deschutes-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”