Fatal crashes in Washington County, Pennsylvania
In 2024, 29 people died in 27 fatal crashes in Washington County, 93.3% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 222 fatal crashes and 234 deaths, the 15th most of any county in Pennsylvania.
13.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania in 2024; 11.2 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 210,434, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania.
Deaths in Washington County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 27 | 29 |
| 2023 | 14 | 15 |
| 2022 | 13 | 13 |
| 2021 | 22 | 23 |
| 2020 | 28 | 29 |
| 2019 | 23 | 24 |
| 2018 | 27 | 29 |
| 2017 | 25 | 27 |
| 2016 | 22 | 22 |
| 2015 | 21 | 23 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Washington County
US 40 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Washington County from 2015 to 2024: 24, with 26 deaths. The 10 roads listed held 51% of all fatal crashes in Washington County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 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 | US 40 | 24 | 26 | 3 | no page |
| 2 | I-70 | 22 | 24 | 6 | no page |
| 3 | I-79 | 16 | 16 | 1 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 136 | 9 | 11 | 3 | no page |
| 5 | US 19 | 9 | 9 | 1 | |
| 6 | State Highway 18 | 8 | 9 | 1 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 88 | 7 | 8 | 2 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 980 | 7 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 9 | US 22 | 6 | 6 | 1 | |
| 10 | State Highway 837 | 5 | 6 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Canonsburg 5, Washington 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 Washington County
The heaviest slot is Wednesday, 4 to 8 pm, with 14 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 7 pm to 8 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 | 4.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 6.3 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 6.3 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.3%
- Feb8.1%
- Mar6.8%
- Apr7.7%
- May7.7%
- Jun10.4%
- Jul9.0%
- Aug8.6%
- Sep8.1%
- Oct11.7%
- Nov9.0%
- Dec6.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Washington County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 48%; a collision with another vehicle in 32%, a pedestrian in 6.8%, a rollover in 6.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 106 | 48% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 72 | 32% |
| Pedestrian | 15 | 6.8% |
| Rollover | 14 | 6.3% |
| Other | 13 | 5.9% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.5% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.5% |
| 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 Washington County compare with Pennsylvania
A drinking driver was recorded in 37% of fatal crashes in Washington County from 2015 to 2024, above the Pennsylvania share of 25%; speeding in 45%, above the Pennsylvania share of 40%; a hit-and-run in 2.3%, below the Pennsylvania share of 5.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 8.1%, above the Pennsylvania share of 5.3%; 65% 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.
| Washington | Pennsylvania | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 59% | 45% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| At or near an intersection | 16% | 24% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 40% | 25% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| A drinking driver | 37% | 25% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| Speeding | 45% | 40% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 8.1% | 5.3% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 65% | 58% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.3% | 5.1% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 18% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 7.7% | 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 Washington County
- How many people died in car accidents in Washington County in 2024?
- 29 people died in 27 fatal crashes in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 2024, 93.3% more than in 2023. That is 13.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania.
- What is the deadliest road in Washington County?
- US 40 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Washington County from 2015 to 2024: 24, with 26 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Washington County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Wednesday, 4 to 8 pm, with 14 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Washington County involved a drinking driver?
- 81 of 222 fatal crashes in Washington County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 37%, 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 Washington County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Washington County (county code 125). 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.