Fatal crashes in Butler County, Pennsylvania
In 2024, 15 people died in 15 fatal crashes in Butler County, Pennsylvania, 40.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 171 fatal crashes and 182 deaths, the 24th most of 67 counties in Pennsylvania.
7.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania in 2024; 9.5 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 199,341, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania.
Deaths in Butler County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 | 15 |
| 2023 | 22 | 25 |
| 2022 | 16 | 17 |
| 2021 | 17 | 18 |
| 2020 | 9 | 10 |
| 2019 | 16 | 16 |
| 2018 | 16 | 18 |
| 2017 | 17 | 17 |
| 2016 | 28 | 30 |
| 2015 | 15 | 16 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Butler County
State Highway 8 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Butler County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 20 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 49% of all fatal crashes in Butler County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 3 state highways. 75% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 25% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 8 | 19 | 20 | 7 | |
| 2 | US 422 | 17 | 18 | 4 | |
| 3 | State Highway 68 | 14 | 15 | 3 | no page |
| 4 | US 19 | 12 | 12 | 4 | |
| 5 | I-79 | 11 | 13 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 38 | 11 | 13 | 7 | no page |
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 Butler County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 4 pm to 5 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 | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 6.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Fri | 1.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.6%
- Feb4.7%
- Mar5.3%
- Apr7.6%
- May8.8%
- Jun13.5%
- Jul8.8%
- Aug11.1%
- Sep7.6%
- Oct10.5%
- Nov7.0%
- Dec7.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Butler 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 35%, a rollover in 9.4%, a pedestrian in 5.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 71 | 42% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 60 | 35% |
| Rollover | 16 | 9.4% |
| Pedestrian | 9 | 5.3% |
| Other | 9 | 5.3% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 2.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.6% |
| 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 Butler County compare with Pennsylvania
The largest difference from Pennsylvania: from 2015 to 2024, 63% of fatal crashes in Butler County were on rural roads, against 45% across Pennsylvania. Below the Pennsylvania share: hit-and-runs and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Pennsylvania. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 171 crashes.
| Butler | Pennsylvania | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 63% | 45% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| At or near an intersection | 25% | 24% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 29% | 25% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| A drinking driver | 29% | 25% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Speeding | 44% | 40% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.0% | 5.3% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 56% | 58% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.2% | 5.1% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| A motorcycle involved | 23% | 18% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 5.5% | 14% | below the Pennsylvania 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 Butler County, Pennsylvania
- How many people died in car accidents in Butler County in 2024?
- 15 people died in 15 fatal crashes in Butler County, Pennsylvania, in 2024, 40.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 7.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Butler County?
- State Highway 8 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Butler County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 20 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Butler County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Butler County involved a drinking driver?
- 49 of 171 fatal crashes in Butler County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 29%, against 25% across Pennsylvania.
Other counties in Pennsylvania with a page
- Philadelphia County
- Allegheny County
- Bucks County
- Lancaster County
- Berks County
- Montgomery County
- York County
- Westmoreland County
- Chester County
- Luzerne County
- Dauphin County
- Lehigh County
All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania, with every county ranked.
Where the Butler County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Butler County (county code 19). 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/pennsylvania/butler-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”