Fatal crashes in Chester County, Pennsylvania
In 2024, 24 people died in 24 fatal crashes in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 27.3% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 303 fatal crashes and 319 deaths, the 9th most of 67 counties in Pennsylvania.
4.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania in 2024; 6 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 560,745, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania.
Deaths in Chester County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24 | 24 |
| 2023 | 30 | 33 |
| 2022 | 26 | 26 |
| 2021 | 34 | 34 |
| 2020 | 30 | 33 |
| 2019 | 27 | 29 |
| 2018 | 42 | 46 |
| 2017 | 33 | 35 |
| 2016 | 24 | 24 |
| 2015 | 33 | 35 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Chester County
I-76 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Chester County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 18 deaths. The 13 roads listed held 43% of all fatal crashes in Chester County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 4 US routes, 8 state highways. 74% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 26% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-76 | 16 | 18 | 1 | |
| 2 | State Highway 10 | 14 | 14 | 4 | no page |
| 3 | US 322 | 14 | 14 | 5 | |
| 4 | US 202 | 11 | 13 | 3 | no page |
| 5 | US 30 | 11 | 11 | 1 | |
| 6 | State Highway 100 | 10 | 11 | 4 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 41 | 10 | 10 | 1 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 3 | 9 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 82 | 9 | 9 | 3 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 23 | 7 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 401 | 7 | 7 | 4 | no page |
| 12 | US 1 | 6 | 8 | 2 | |
| 13 | State Highway 113 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Coatesville 6, London Grove 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 Chester County
The heaviest slot is Friday, noon to 4 pm, with 14 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.3%
- Feb6.3%
- Mar6.6%
- Apr6.9%
- May6.9%
- Jun9.6%
- Jul7.6%
- Aug8.9%
- Sep10.9%
- Oct13.5%
- Nov8.3%
- Dec7.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Chester 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 37%, a pedestrian in 8.6%, a rollover in 4.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 132 | 44% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 112 | 37% |
| Pedestrian | 26 | 8.6% |
| Other | 16 | 5.3% |
| Rollover | 12 | 4.0% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 1.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 0.7% |
| 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 Chester County compare with Pennsylvania
The largest difference from Pennsylvania: from 2015 to 2024, 33% of fatal crashes in Chester County were on rural roads, against 45% across Pennsylvania. Also above the Pennsylvania share: unlit roads at night, drinking drivers and speeding. Below it: unbelted occupants 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 303 crashes.
| Chester | Pennsylvania | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 33% | 45% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| At or near an intersection | 24% | 24% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 36% | 25% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| A drinking driver | 31% | 25% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| Speeding | 48% | 40% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.3% | 5.3% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 49% | 58% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.0% | 5.1% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 18% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 9.1% | 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 Chester County, Pennsylvania
- How many people died in car accidents in Chester County in 2024?
- 24 people died in 24 fatal crashes in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 2024, 27.3% fewer than in 2023. That is 4.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Chester County?
- I-76 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Chester County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 18 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Chester County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, noon to 4 pm, with 14 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Chester County involved a drinking driver?
- 94 of 303 fatal crashes in Chester County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 31%, 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
- Luzerne County
- Dauphin County
- Lehigh County
- Erie County
All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania, with every county ranked.
Where the Chester County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Chester County (county code 29). 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/chester-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”