Fatal crashes in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
In 2024, 26 people died in 26 fatal crashes in Dauphin County, 25.7% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 272 fatal crashes and 295 deaths, the 11th most of any county in Pennsylvania.
8.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania in 2024; 10.4 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 293,029, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania.
Deaths in Dauphin County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 26 | 26 |
| 2023 | 29 | 35 |
| 2022 | 26 | 30 |
| 2021 | 37 | 41 |
| 2020 | 18 | 20 |
| 2019 | 16 | 16 |
| 2018 | 39 | 42 |
| 2017 | 36 | 36 |
| 2016 | 27 | 30 |
| 2015 | 18 | 19 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Dauphin County
US 22 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Dauphin County from 2015 to 2024: 26, with 31 deaths. The 14 roads listed held 52% of all fatal crashes in Dauphin County from 2015 to 2024; 4 are interstates, 3 US routes, 7 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 | US 22 | 26 | 31 | 6 | |
| 2 | I-81 | 19 | 22 | 6 | |
| 3 | State Highway 230 | 16 | 18 | 8 | no page |
| 4 | US 209 | 11 | 11 | 3 | |
| 5 | I-83 | 10 | 13 | 4 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 147 | 10 | 10 | 4 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 39 | 8 | 11 | 3 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 3009 | 8 | 8 | 0 | no page |
| 9 | I-283 | 6 | 6 | 0 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 300 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
| 11 | US 322 | 6 | 6 | 3 | |
| 12 | I-76 | 5 | 5 | 1 | |
| 13 | State Highway 3014 | 5 | 5 | 0 | no page |
| 14 | State Highway 3020 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Harrisburg 60. 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 Dauphin County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 17 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 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 | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 17 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.4 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.4%
- Feb8.1%
- Mar7.7%
- Apr6.2%
- May8.1%
- Jun7.7%
- Jul7.0%
- Aug8.8%
- Sep10.3%
- Oct11.4%
- Nov9.2%
- Dec8.1%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Dauphin County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 38%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 32%, a pedestrian in 17%, a rollover in 4.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 104 | 38% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 88 | 32% |
| Pedestrian | 46 | 17% |
| Rollover | 13 | 4.8% |
| Other | 10 | 3.7% |
| Cyclist | 6 | 2.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 5 | 1.8% |
| 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 Dauphin County compare with Pennsylvania
A drinking driver was recorded in 26% of fatal crashes in Dauphin County from 2015 to 2024, about the Pennsylvania share; speeding in 46%, above the Pennsylvania share of 40%; a hit-and-run in 5.5%, about the Pennsylvania share; a driver recorded as distracted in 7.0%, above the Pennsylvania share of 5.3%; 54% 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.
| Dauphin | Pennsylvania | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 32% | 45% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| At or near an intersection | 25% | 24% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 29% | 25% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| A drinking driver | 26% | 25% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Speeding | 46% | 40% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.0% | 5.3% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 54% | 58% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.5% | 5.1% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| A motorcycle involved | 16% | 18% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 17% | 14% | above 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 Dauphin County
- How many people died in car accidents in Dauphin County in 2024?
- 26 people died in 26 fatal crashes in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in 2024, 25.7% fewer than in 2023. That is 8.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania.
- What is the deadliest road in Dauphin County?
- US 22 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Dauphin County from 2015 to 2024: 26, with 31 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Dauphin County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 17 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Dauphin County involved a drinking driver?
- 70 of 272 fatal crashes in Dauphin County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 26%, 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
- Lehigh County
- Erie County
All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania, with every county ranked.
Where the Dauphin County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Dauphin County (county code 43). 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.