Fatal crashes in Chester County, South Carolina
In 2024, 8 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Chester County, South Carolina, down from 11 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 118 fatal crashes and 135 deaths, the 27th most of 46 counties in South Carolina.
Deaths in Chester County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 8 |
| 2023 | 10 | 11 |
| 2022 | 16 | 20 |
| 2021 | 14 | 16 |
| 2020 | 11 | 11 |
| 2019 | 8 | 10 |
| 2018 | 9 | 9 |
| 2017 | 13 | 15 |
| 2016 | 14 | 18 |
| 2015 | 15 | 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 Chester County
I-77 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Chester County from 2015 to 2024: 26, with 31 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 65% of all fatal crashes in Chester County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 3 state highways. 97% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 2.5% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-77 | 26 | 31 | 12 | |
| 2 | US 21 | 14 | 17 | 3 | |
| 3 | State Highway 97 | 13 | 13 | 3 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 72 | 12 | 15 | 3 | |
| 5 | State Highway 9 | 12 | 14 | 4 |
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 Chester County
The heaviest slot is Monday, noon to 4 pm, with 11 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 | 5.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 9.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.5%
- Feb9.3%
- Mar11.9%
- Apr5.1%
- May7.6%
- Jun10.2%
- Jul8.5%
- Aug7.6%
- Sep8.5%
- Oct14.4%
- Nov3.4%
- Dec5.1%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Chester County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 45%; a collision with another vehicle in 36%, a pedestrian in 10%, a rollover in 5.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 53 | 45% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 42 | 36% |
| Pedestrian | 12 | 10% |
| Rollover | 7 | 5.9% |
| Other | 2 | 1.7% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 0.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.8% |
| 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 Chester County compare with South Carolina
The largest difference from South Carolina: from 2015 to 2024, 92% of fatal crashes in Chester County were on rural roads, against 59% across South Carolina. Also above the South Carolina share: distracted drivers. Below it: intersections, unbelted occupants and motorcycles. 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 118 crashes.
| Chester | South Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 92% | 59% | above the South Carolina share |
| At or near an intersection | 8.5% | 20% | below the South Carolina share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 35% | 37% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| A drinking driver | 38% | 32% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| Speeding | 44% | 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 | 3.4% | 4.2% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| A motorcycle involved | 6.8% | 16% | below the South Carolina share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 9.6% | 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 Chester County, South Carolina
- How many people died in car accidents in Chester County in 2024?
- 8 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Chester County, South Carolina, in 2024, down from 11 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Chester County?
- I-77 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Chester County from 2015 to 2024: 26, with 31 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Chester County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Monday, noon to 4 pm, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Chester County involved a drinking driver?
- 45 of 118 fatal crashes in Chester County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 38%, 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 Chester County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Chester County (county code 23). 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/chester-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”