Fatal crashes in Delaware County, Pennsylvania
In 2024, 32 people died in 27 fatal crashes in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, 23.1% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 247 fatal crashes and 264 deaths, the 14th most of 67 counties in Pennsylvania.
5.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania in 2024; 4.6 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 584,882, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania.
Deaths in Delaware County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 27 | 32 |
| 2023 | 26 | 26 |
| 2022 | 24 | 27 |
| 2021 | 23 | 25 |
| 2020 | 28 | 29 |
| 2019 | 30 | 31 |
| 2018 | 18 | 19 |
| 2017 | 24 | 25 |
| 2016 | 28 | 29 |
| 2015 | 19 | 21 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Delaware County
I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Delaware County from 2015 to 2024: 30, with 31 deaths. The 14 roads listed held 59% of all fatal crashes in Delaware County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 US routes, 9 state highways. 81% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 19% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-95 | 30 | 31 | 10 | |
| 2 | US 13 | 21 | 22 | 9 | |
| 3 | US 1 | 15 | 15 | 5 | |
| 4 | State Highway 291 | 13 | 17 | 4 | no page |
| 5 | I-476 | 13 | 14 | 3 | |
| 6 | State Highway 3 | 11 | 11 | 1 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 320 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 452 | 6 | 6 | 1 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 0291 | 5 | 6 | 0 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 2006 | 5 | 6 | 1 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 2015 | 5 | 5 | 0 | no page |
| 12 | State Highway 3017 | 5 | 5 | 0 | no page |
| 13 | State Highway 352 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
| 14 | US 202 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Chester had 17% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 43 of 247.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Chester 43, Upper Darby 7, Haverford 5, Tinicum 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 Delaware County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 am to noon, with 12 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 pm; the worst month is August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 3.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.9%
- Feb8.5%
- Mar7.7%
- Apr7.7%
- May6.1%
- Jun9.7%
- Jul7.7%
- Aug10.9%
- Sep10.1%
- Oct8.9%
- Nov10.5%
- 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 Delaware County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 40%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 27%, a pedestrian in 22%, a parked vehicle in 2.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 98 | 40% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 67 | 27% |
| Pedestrian | 55 | 22% |
| Other | 13 | 5.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 6 | 2.4% |
| Rollover | 5 | 2.0% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 1.2% |
| 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 Delaware County compare with Pennsylvania
The largest difference from Pennsylvania: from 2015 to 2024, 8.2% of fatal crashes in Delaware County were on rural roads, against 45% across Pennsylvania. Also above the Pennsylvania share: intersections, unbelted occupants and pedestrians. Below it: unlit roads at night. 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 247 crashes.
| Delaware | Pennsylvania | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 8.2% | 45% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| At or near an intersection | 34% | 24% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 15% | 25% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| A drinking driver | 24% | 25% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Speeding | 38% | 40% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.9% | 5.3% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 65% | 58% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.7% | 5.1% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| A motorcycle involved | 17% | 18% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 22% | 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 Delaware County, Pennsylvania
- How many people died in car accidents in Delaware County in 2024?
- 32 people died in 27 fatal crashes in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, in 2024, 23.1% more than in 2023. That is 5.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Delaware County?
- I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Delaware County from 2015 to 2024: 30, with 31 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Delaware County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 am to noon, with 12 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Delaware County involved a drinking driver?
- 60 of 247 fatal crashes in Delaware County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 24%, 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 Delaware County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Delaware County (county code 45). 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/delaware-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”