Fatal crashes in Northampton County, Pennsylvania
In 2024, 15 people died in 15 fatal crashes in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, 31.8% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 194 fatal crashes and 213 deaths, the 17th most of 67 counties in Pennsylvania.
4.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania in 2024; 6.9 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 322,989, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania.
Deaths in Northampton County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 | 15 |
| 2023 | 19 | 22 |
| 2022 | 21 | 24 |
| 2021 | 13 | 13 |
| 2020 | 20 | 21 |
| 2019 | 14 | 14 |
| 2018 | 19 | 21 |
| 2017 | 24 | 26 |
| 2016 | 24 | 29 |
| 2015 | 25 | 28 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Northampton County
State Highway 33 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Northampton County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 25 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 38% of all fatal crashes in Northampton County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 5 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 | State Highway 33 | 19 | 25 | 3 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 248 | 17 | 18 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 611 | 13 | 13 | 2 | |
| 4 | State Highway 512 | 10 | 10 | 2 | no page |
| 5 | US 22 | 8 | 10 | 3 | |
| 6 | State Highway 145 | 7 | 9 | 2 | no page |
Bethlehem had 11% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 22 of 194.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Bethlehem 22, Easton 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 Northampton County
The heaviest slot is Tuesday, noon to 4 pm, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 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 | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.2%
- Feb6.2%
- Mar7.7%
- Apr7.2%
- May11.3%
- Jun9.8%
- Jul6.2%
- Aug10.3%
- Sep8.2%
- Oct11.9%
- Nov9.3%
- Dec6.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Northampton County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 42%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 35%, a pedestrian in 14%, a rollover in 2.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 81 | 42% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 67 | 35% |
| Pedestrian | 27 | 14% |
| Other | 9 | 4.6% |
| Rollover | 4 | 2.1% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 1.5% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 1.5% |
| 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 Northampton County compare with Pennsylvania
The largest difference from Pennsylvania: from 2015 to 2024, 45% of occupants killed in Northampton County were unbelted, against 58% across Pennsylvania. Below the Pennsylvania share: speeding. 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 194 crashes.
| Northampton | Pennsylvania | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 39% | 45% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| At or near an intersection | 26% | 24% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 23% | 25% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| A drinking driver | 23% | 25% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Speeding | 31% | 40% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 3.6% | 5.3% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 45% | 58% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.6% | 5.1% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 18% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 13% | 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 Northampton County, Pennsylvania
- How many people died in car accidents in Northampton County in 2024?
- 15 people died in 15 fatal crashes in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, in 2024, 31.8% fewer than in 2023. That is 4.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Northampton County?
- State Highway 33 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Northampton County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 25 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Northampton County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Tuesday, noon to 4 pm, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Northampton County involved a drinking driver?
- 45 of 194 fatal crashes in Northampton County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 23%, 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 Northampton County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Northampton County (county code 95). 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/northampton-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”