Fatal crashes in Washington County, Rhode Island
In 2024, 10 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Washington County, Rhode Island, up from 7 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 101 fatal crashes and 105 deaths, the 2nd most of 5 counties in Rhode Island.
7.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 4.7 across Rhode Island in 2024; 8.2 against 5.6 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 130,333, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Rhode Island.
Deaths in Washington County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 10 |
| 2023 | 7 | 7 |
| 2022 | 13 | 13 |
| 2021 | 12 | 12 |
| 2020 | 15 | 15 |
| 2019 | 7 | 7 |
| 2018 | 6 | 6 |
| 2017 | 13 | 14 |
| 2016 | 11 | 11 |
| 2015 | 8 | 10 |
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
I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Washington County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 16 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 45% of all fatal crashes in Washington County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 3 state highways. 64% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 36% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-95 | 15 | 16 | 5 | |
| 2 | US 1 | 13 | 14 | 3 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 102 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 138 | 6 | 6 | 1 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 165 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Richmond had 18% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 18 of 101.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Richmond 18, Westerly 15, South Kingstown 14, Quidnessett 7, Charlestown 6, North Kingstown 6, Fisherville 6, Exeter 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
101 fatal crashes in Washington County, Rhode Island from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 2 pm to 3 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 | 4.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.0%
- Feb9.9%
- Mar2.0%
- Apr3.0%
- May5.0%
- Jun11.9%
- Jul14.9%
- Aug14.9%
- Sep10.9%
- Oct8.9%
- Nov10.9%
- Dec4.0%
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 most fatal crashes, 53%; a collision with another vehicle in 31%, a pedestrian in 8.9%, a cyclist in 2.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 53 | 53% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 31 | 31% |
| Pedestrian | 9 | 8.9% |
| Other | 4 | 4.0% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 2.0% |
| Rollover | 1 | 1.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.0% |
| 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 Washington County compare with Rhode Island
The largest difference from Rhode Island: from 2015 to 2024, 58% of fatal crashes in Washington County were on rural roads, against 19% across Rhode Island. Also above the Rhode Island share: unlit roads at night. Below it: pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Rhode Island. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 101 crashes.
| Washington | Rhode Island | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 58% | 19% | above the Rhode Island share |
| At or near an intersection | 14% | 21% | about the same as the Rhode Island share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 23% | 16% | above the Rhode Island share |
| A drinking driver | 48% | 39% | about the same as the Rhode Island share |
| Speeding | 49% | 44% | about the same as the Rhode Island share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.0% | 3.0% | about the same as the Rhode Island share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 48% | 54% | about the same as the Rhode Island share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.0% | 6.2% | about the same as the Rhode Island share |
| A motorcycle involved | 25% | 20% | about the same as the Rhode Island share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 9.5% | 19% | below the Rhode Island 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, Rhode Island
- How many people died in car accidents in Washington County in 2024?
- 10 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Washington County, Rhode Island, in 2024, up from 7 in 2023. That is 7.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 4.7 across Rhode Island. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Washington County?
- I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Washington County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 16 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Washington County involved a drinking driver?
- 48 of 101 fatal crashes in Washington County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 48%, against 39% across Rhode Island.
Other counties in Rhode Island with a page
All fatal crashes in Rhode Island, 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 9). 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/rhode-island/washington-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”