Fatal crashes in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
In 2024, 18 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Cumberland County, 18.2% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 189 fatal crashes and 199 deaths, the 19th most of any county in Pennsylvania.
6.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania in 2024; 7.7 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 275,516, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania.
Deaths in Cumberland County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 | 18 |
| 2023 | 22 | 22 |
| 2022 | 14 | 15 |
| 2021 | 23 | 24 |
| 2020 | 14 | 14 |
| 2019 | 17 | 17 |
| 2018 | 22 | 22 |
| 2017 | 23 | 26 |
| 2016 | 25 | 28 |
| 2015 | 13 | 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 Cumberland County
I-81 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Cumberland County from 2015 to 2024: 37, with 45 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 51% of all fatal crashes in Cumberland County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 1 US route, 4 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes with 5 or more fatal crashes in the county; county roads and city streets are in the county's total but not listed.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-81 | 37 | 45 | 5 | |
| 2 | US 11 | 25 | 25 | 9 | |
| 3 | State Highway 641 | 10 | 10 | 5 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 74 | 7 | 8 | 3 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 114 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
| 6 | I-76 | 5 | 5 | 3 | |
| 7 | State Highway 944 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Camp Hill 5, Carlisle 5, Mechanicsburg 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 Cumberland County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, noon to 4 pm, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is noon to 1 pm; the worst month is July.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.4%
- Feb4.8%
- Mar7.4%
- Apr6.3%
- May5.3%
- Jun11.1%
- Jul14.3%
- Aug12.2%
- Sep10.6%
- Oct7.9%
- Nov5.3%
- Dec7.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Cumberland County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 43%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 31%, a pedestrian in 12%, a rollover in 5.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 81 | 43% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 58 | 31% |
| Pedestrian | 22 | 12% |
| Rollover | 11 | 5.8% |
| Other | 8 | 4.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 7 | 3.7% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 1.1% |
| 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 Cumberland County compare with Pennsylvania
A drinking driver was recorded in 22% of fatal crashes in Cumberland County from 2015 to 2024, below the Pennsylvania share of 25%; speeding in 42%, above the Pennsylvania share of 40%; a hit-and-run in 4.2%, about the Pennsylvania share; a driver recorded as distracted in 9.5%, above the Pennsylvania share of 5.3%; 53% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Pennsylvania share of 58%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Pennsylvania. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Cumberland | Pennsylvania | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 48% | 45% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| At or near an intersection | 26% | 24% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 27% | 25% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| A drinking driver | 22% | 25% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| Speeding | 42% | 40% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 9.5% | 5.3% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 53% | 58% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.2% | 5.1% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| A motorcycle involved | 22% | 18% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 12% | 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 Cumberland County
- How many people died in car accidents in Cumberland County in 2024?
- 18 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 2024, 18.2% fewer than in 2023. That is 6.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania.
- What is the deadliest road in Cumberland County?
- I-81 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Cumberland County from 2015 to 2024: 37, with 45 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Cumberland County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, noon to 4 pm, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Cumberland County involved a drinking driver?
- 42 of 189 fatal crashes in Cumberland County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 22%, 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 Cumberland County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Cumberland County (county code 41). 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. The full method.