Fatal crashes in Berkeley County, South Carolina
In 2024, 37 people died in 37 fatal crashes in Berkeley County, South Carolina, 39.3% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 386 fatal crashes and 410 deaths, the 8th most of 46 counties in South Carolina.
14 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.9 across South Carolina in 2024; 17.8 against 20.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 264,276, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in South Carolina.
Deaths in Berkeley County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 37 | 37 |
| 2023 | 58 | 61 |
| 2022 | 46 | 49 |
| 2021 | 32 | 33 |
| 2020 | 49 | 60 |
| 2019 | 29 | 32 |
| 2018 | 34 | 34 |
| 2017 | 33 | 34 |
| 2016 | 33 | 34 |
| 2015 | 35 | 36 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Berkeley County
US 17 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Berkeley County from 2015 to 2024: 51, with 55 deaths. The 15 roads listed held 70% of all fatal crashes in Berkeley County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 3 US routes, 11 state highways. 94% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 6.2% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 17 | 51 | 55 | 11 | |
| 2 | US 52 | 43 | 43 | 23 | |
| 3 | I-26 | 34 | 38 | 8 | |
| 4 | US 176 | 32 | 33 | 8 | |
| 5 | State Highway 62 | 18 | 19 | 8 | |
| 6 | State Highway 6 | 15 | 16 | 7 | |
| 7 | State Highway 29 | 14 | 14 | 5 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 41 | 12 | 13 | 4 | |
| 9 | State Highway 98 | 9 | 10 | 1 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 402 | 8 | 9 | 1 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 45 | 8 | 9 | 1 | no page |
| 12 | State Highway 1258 | 8 | 8 | 4 | no page |
| 13 | State Highway 100 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
| 14 | State Highway 136 | 6 | 6 | 1 | no page |
| 15 | State Highway 16 | 5 | 5 | 3 | no page |
Goose Creek had 6.5% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 25 of 386.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Goose Creek 25, Moncks Corner 14, Hanahan 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 Berkeley County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 21 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 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 | 4.7 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 17 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 20 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 20 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.1 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 21 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.8%
- Feb8.3%
- Mar8.8%
- Apr7.5%
- May9.1%
- Jun7.8%
- Jul8.8%
- Aug7.5%
- Sep9.1%
- Oct9.8%
- Nov8.5%
- Dec7.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Berkeley County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 40%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 32%, a pedestrian in 18%, a rollover in 5.7%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 156 | 40% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 122 | 32% |
| Pedestrian | 68 | 18% |
| Rollover | 22 | 5.7% |
| Cyclist | 8 | 2.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 5 | 1.3% |
| Other | 5 | 1.3% |
| 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 Berkeley County compare with South Carolina
The largest difference from South Carolina: from 2015 to 2024, 43% of fatal crashes in Berkeley County were in the dark on unlit roads, against 37% across South Carolina. Below the South Carolina share: distracted drivers. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of South Carolina. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 386 crashes.
| Berkeley | South Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 61% | 59% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| At or near an intersection | 17% | 20% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 43% | 37% | above the South Carolina share |
| A drinking driver | 33% | 32% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| Speeding | 40% | 40% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 2.3% | 5.0% | below the South Carolina share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 53% | 53% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.9% | 4.2% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| A motorcycle involved | 16% | 16% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 18% | 16% | about the same as the South Carolina 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 Berkeley County, South Carolina
- How many people died in car accidents in Berkeley County in 2024?
- 37 people died in 37 fatal crashes in Berkeley County, South Carolina, in 2024, 39.3% fewer than in 2023. That is 14 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.9 across South Carolina. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Berkeley County?
- US 17 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Berkeley County from 2015 to 2024: 51, with 55 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Berkeley County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 21 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Berkeley County involved a drinking driver?
- 127 of 386 fatal crashes in Berkeley County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 33%, against 32% across South Carolina.
Other counties in South Carolina with a page
- Greenville County
- Horry County
- Charleston County
- Spartanburg County
- Richland County
- Lexington County
- Anderson County
- Orangeburg County
- Florence County
- York County
- Aiken County
- Sumter County
All fatal crashes in South Carolina, with every county ranked.
Where the Berkeley County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Berkeley County (county code 15). 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/south-carolina/berkeley-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”