Fatal crashes in Cherokee County, South Carolina
In 2024, 20 people died in 18 fatal crashes in Cherokee County, South Carolina, up from 14 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 149 fatal crashes and 160 deaths, the 23rd most of 46 counties in South Carolina.
34.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.9 across South Carolina in 2024; 28.2 against 20.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 57,770, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in South Carolina.
Deaths in Cherokee County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 | 20 |
| 2023 | 13 | 14 |
| 2022 | 16 | 16 |
| 2021 | 19 | 23 |
| 2020 | 12 | 12 |
| 2019 | 14 | 15 |
| 2018 | 18 | 18 |
| 2017 | 20 | 20 |
| 2016 | 5 | 5 |
| 2015 | 14 | 17 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Cherokee County
I-85 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Cherokee County from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 26 deaths. The 9 roads listed held 61% of all fatal crashes in Cherokee County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 6 state highways. 96% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 4.0% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-85 | 21 | 26 | 6 | |
| 2 | US 29 | 18 | 19 | 6 | |
| 3 | State Highway 11 | 9 | 9 | 1 | |
| 4 | US 221 | 8 | 10 | 3 | |
| 5 | State Highway 150 | 8 | 8 | 4 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 18 | 8 | 8 | 3 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 5 | 7 | 8 | 1 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 105 | 7 | 7 | 0 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 110 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Gaffney had 8.7% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 13 of 149.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Gaffney 13. 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 Cherokee County
The heaviest slot is Thursday, 8 pm to midnight, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 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 | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 7.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.7%
- Feb8.1%
- Mar10.7%
- Apr9.4%
- May8.7%
- Jun8.7%
- Jul14.8%
- Aug6.7%
- Sep5.4%
- Oct7.4%
- Nov7.4%
- Dec6.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Cherokee County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 46%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 32%, a pedestrian in 9.4%, a rollover in 4.7%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 68 | 46% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 47 | 32% |
| Pedestrian | 14 | 9.4% |
| Other | 8 | 5.4% |
| Rollover | 7 | 4.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 2.0% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 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 Cherokee County compare with South Carolina
The largest difference from South Carolina: from 2015 to 2024, 81% of fatal crashes in Cherokee County were on rural roads, against 59% across South Carolina. Also above the South Carolina share: drinking drivers, distracted drivers and motorcycles. Below it: unlit roads at night, unbelted occupants and pedestrians. 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 149 crashes.
| Cherokee | South Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 81% | 59% | above the South Carolina share |
| At or near an intersection | 17% | 20% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 29% | 37% | below the South Carolina share |
| A drinking driver | 46% | 32% | above the South Carolina share |
| Speeding | 41% | 40% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 26% | 5.0% | above the South Carolina share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 44% | 53% | below the South Carolina share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.0% | 4.2% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| A motorcycle involved | 22% | 16% | above the South Carolina share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.8% | 16% | below 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 Cherokee County, South Carolina
- How many people died in car accidents in Cherokee County in 2024?
- 20 people died in 18 fatal crashes in Cherokee County, South Carolina, in 2024, up from 14 in 2023. That is 34.6 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 Cherokee County?
- I-85 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Cherokee County from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 26 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Cherokee County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Thursday, 8 pm to midnight, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Cherokee County involved a drinking driver?
- 68 of 149 fatal crashes in Cherokee County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 46%, 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
- Berkeley County
- Orangeburg County
- Florence County
- York County
- Aiken County
All fatal crashes in South Carolina, with every county ranked.
Where the Cherokee County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Cherokee County (county code 21). 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/cherokee-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”