Fatal crashes in Erie County, Pennsylvania
In 2024, 36 people died in 33 fatal crashes in Erie County, Pennsylvania, 20.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 248 fatal crashes and 262 deaths, the 13th most of 67 counties in Pennsylvania.
13.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania in 2024; 9.7 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 267,750, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania.
Deaths in Erie County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 33 | 36 |
| 2023 | 28 | 30 |
| 2022 | 27 | 28 |
| 2021 | 21 | 21 |
| 2020 | 14 | 15 |
| 2019 | 25 | 26 |
| 2018 | 20 | 21 |
| 2017 | 25 | 27 |
| 2016 | 27 | 27 |
| 2015 | 28 | 31 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Erie County
US 20 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Erie County from 2015 to 2024: 33, with 34 deaths. The 9 roads listed held 50% of all fatal crashes in Erie County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 US routes, 4 state highways. 73% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 27% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 20 | 33 | 34 | 8 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 5 | 28 | 31 | 11 | no page |
| 3 | I-90 | 12 | 12 | 7 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 8 | 11 | 12 | 3 | |
| 5 | US 19 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
| 6 | US 6 | 10 | 10 | 4 | |
| 7 | I-79 | 8 | 8 | 2 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 197 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 4034 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Erie had 23% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 57 of 248.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Erie 57, Millcreek Township 8. 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 Erie County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Saturday), with 13 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 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 | 5.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.8%
- Feb5.2%
- Mar4.0%
- Apr9.3%
- May8.1%
- Jun9.7%
- Jul10.1%
- Aug11.3%
- Sep10.5%
- Oct9.3%
- Nov7.7%
- Dec10.1%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Erie 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 36%, a pedestrian in 17%, a cyclist in 3.2%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 93 | 38% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 88 | 36% |
| Pedestrian | 41 | 17% |
| Other | 10 | 4.0% |
| Cyclist | 8 | 3.2% |
| Rollover | 8 | 3.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Erie County compare with Pennsylvania
From 2015 to 2024, every share for Erie County is within chance of the Pennsylvania share. 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 248 crashes.
| Erie | Pennsylvania | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 50% | 45% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| At or near an intersection | 27% | 24% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 25% | 25% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| A drinking driver | 28% | 25% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Speeding | 39% | 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 | 58% | 58% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.8% | 5.1% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| A motorcycle involved | 21% | 18% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 16% | 14% | about the same as 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 Erie County, Pennsylvania
- How many people died in car accidents in Erie County in 2024?
- 36 people died in 33 fatal crashes in Erie County, Pennsylvania, in 2024, 20.0% more than in 2023. That is 13.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Erie County?
- US 20 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Erie County from 2015 to 2024: 33, with 34 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Erie County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Saturday), with 13 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Erie County involved a drinking driver?
- 69 of 248 fatal crashes in Erie County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 28%, 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 Erie County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Erie County (county code 49). 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/erie-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”