Fatal crashes in Mercer County, Pennsylvania
In 2024, 15 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Mercer County, 28.6% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 126 fatal crashes and 135 deaths.
13.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania in 2024; 12.2 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 108,140, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania.
Deaths in Mercer County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 15 |
| 2023 | 18 | 21 |
| 2022 | 10 | 10 |
| 2021 | 11 | 11 |
| 2020 | 12 | 13 |
| 2019 | 14 | 15 |
| 2018 | 11 | 12 |
| 2017 | 9 | 10 |
| 2016 | 15 | 15 |
| 2015 | 12 | 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 Mercer County
I-80 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Mercer County from 2015 to 2024: 11, with 12 deaths. The 9 roads listed held 56% of all fatal crashes in Mercer County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 2 US routes, 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 | I-80 | 11 | 12 | 4 | |
| 2 | US 19 | 10 | 10 | 2 | |
| 3 | I-79 | 9 | 9 | 2 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 18 | 9 | 9 | 3 | no page |
| 5 | US 62 | 8 | 8 | 0 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 58 | 7 | 8 | 2 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 173 | 6 | 6 | 4 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 258 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 358 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Sharon 8, Hermitage 6. 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 Mercer County
The heaviest slot is Monday, 4 to 8 pm, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 5 pm to 6 pm; the worst month is February.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 7.9 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.8%
- Feb11.1%
- Mar5.6%
- Apr5.6%
- May8.7%
- Jun8.7%
- Jul10.3%
- Aug9.5%
- Sep7.1%
- Oct9.5%
- Nov9.5%
- Dec9.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Mercer County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 41%; a collision with another vehicle in 38%, a rollover in 8.7%, a pedestrian in 7.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 51 | 41% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 48 | 38% |
| Rollover | 11 | 8.7% |
| Pedestrian | 10 | 7.9% |
| Other | 6 | 4.8% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Mercer County compare with Pennsylvania
A drinking driver was recorded in 32% of fatal crashes in Mercer County from 2015 to 2024, above the Pennsylvania share of 25%; speeding in 35%, below the Pennsylvania share of 40%; a hit-and-run in 2.4%, below the Pennsylvania share of 5.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 6.3%, about the Pennsylvania share; 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.
| Mercer | Pennsylvania | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 83% | 45% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| At or near an intersection | 14% | 24% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 34% | 25% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| A drinking driver | 32% | 25% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| Speeding | 35% | 40% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.3% | 5.3% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 53% | 58% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.4% | 5.1% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 18% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 7.4% | 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 Mercer County
- How many people died in car accidents in Mercer County in 2024?
- 15 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, in 2024, 28.6% fewer than in 2023. That is 13.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania.
- What is the deadliest road in Mercer County?
- I-80 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Mercer County from 2015 to 2024: 11, with 12 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Mercer County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Monday, 4 to 8 pm, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Mercer County involved a drinking driver?
- 40 of 126 fatal crashes in Mercer County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 32%, 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 Mercer County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Mercer County (county code 85). 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.