Fatal crashes in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
In 2024, 18 people died in 18 fatal crashes in Luzerne County, 50.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 295 fatal crashes and 313 deaths, the 10th most of any county in Pennsylvania.
5.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania in 2024; 9.7 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 331,379, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania.
Deaths in Luzerne County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 | 18 |
| 2023 | 36 | 36 |
| 2022 | 30 | 33 |
| 2021 | 40 | 41 |
| 2020 | 34 | 35 |
| 2019 | 30 | 32 |
| 2018 | 18 | 20 |
| 2017 | 25 | 27 |
| 2016 | 31 | 32 |
| 2015 | 33 | 39 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Luzerne County
US 11 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Luzerne County from 2015 to 2024: 29, with 31 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 38% of all fatal crashes in Luzerne County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 1 US route, 5 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 11 | 29 | 31 | 9 | |
| 2 | I-81 | 20 | 23 | 5 | |
| 3 | State Highway 309 | 19 | 21 | 4 | |
| 4 | I-80 | 19 | 19 | 9 | |
| 5 | State Highway 93 | 8 | 8 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 924 | 6 | 7 | 1 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 115 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 940 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Wilkes Barre 19, Hazleton 8, Kingston 8, Sugarloaf 5, Wilkes-Barre 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 Luzerne County
The heaviest slot is Friday, noon to 4 pm, with 17 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 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 | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.1%
- Feb6.1%
- Mar4.1%
- Apr8.5%
- May9.8%
- Jun8.8%
- Jul12.2%
- Aug8.5%
- Sep6.8%
- Oct11.5%
- Nov8.8%
- Dec7.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Luzerne County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 35%; a collision with another vehicle in 34%, a pedestrian in 15%, a rollover in 4.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 104 | 35% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 101 | 34% |
| Pedestrian | 43 | 15% |
| Other | 20 | 6.8% |
| Rollover | 13 | 4.4% |
| Cyclist | 9 | 3.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 5 | 1.7% |
| 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 Luzerne County compare with Pennsylvania
A drinking driver was recorded in 27% of fatal crashes in Luzerne County from 2015 to 2024, above the Pennsylvania share of 25%; speeding in 34%, below the Pennsylvania share of 40%; a hit-and-run in 4.4%, about the Pennsylvania share; a driver recorded as distracted in 4.1%, below the Pennsylvania share of 5.3%; 64% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above 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.
| Luzerne | Pennsylvania | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 42% | 45% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| At or near an intersection | 18% | 24% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 26% | 25% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| A drinking driver | 27% | 25% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| Speeding | 34% | 40% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.1% | 5.3% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 64% | 58% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.4% | 5.1% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| A motorcycle involved | 17% | 18% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 15% | 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 Luzerne County
- How many people died in car accidents in Luzerne County in 2024?
- 18 people died in 18 fatal crashes in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in 2024, 50.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 5.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania.
- What is the deadliest road in Luzerne County?
- US 11 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Luzerne County from 2015 to 2024: 29, with 31 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Luzerne County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, noon to 4 pm, with 17 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Luzerne County involved a drinking driver?
- 79 of 295 fatal crashes in Luzerne County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 27%, 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
- Dauphin County
- Lehigh County
- Erie County
All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania, with every county ranked.
Where the Luzerne County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Luzerne County (county code 79). 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.