Fatal crashes in Union County, South Carolina
In 2024, 10 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Union County, 42.9% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 62 fatal crashes and 71 deaths.
37.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.9 across South Carolina in 2024; 26.1 against 20.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 26,678, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in South Carolina.
Deaths in Union County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 10 |
| 2023 | 7 | 7 |
| 2022 | 7 | 9 |
| 2021 | 7 | 7 |
| 2020 | 7 | 7 |
| 2019 | 6 | 7 |
| 2018 | 4 | 5 |
| 2017 | 6 | 6 |
| 2016 | 6 | 7 |
| 2015 | 4 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Union County
State Highway 9 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Union County from 2015 to 2024: 10, with 13 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 63% of all fatal crashes in Union County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 4 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 | State Highway 9 | 10 | 13 | 3 | |
| 2 | State Highway 72 | 8 | 8 | 1 | |
| 3 | State Highway 49 | 7 | 10 | 1 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 215 | 7 | 8 | 4 | no page |
| 5 | US 176 | 7 | 8 | 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 Union County
Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 6.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 9.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.5%
- Feb4.8%
- Mar11.3%
- Apr11.3%
- May9.7%
- Jun4.8%
- Jul9.7%
- Aug6.5%
- Sep6.5%
- Oct9.7%
- Nov12.9%
- Dec6.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Union County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 47%; a collision with another vehicle in 40%, a rollover in 6.5%, a pedestrian in 4.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 29 | 47% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 25 | 40% |
| Rollover | 4 | 6.5% |
| Pedestrian | 3 | 4.8% |
| Other | 1 | 1.6% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Union County compare with South Carolina
A drinking driver was recorded in 44% of fatal crashes in Union County from 2015 to 2024, above the South Carolina share of 32%; speeding in 45%, above the South Carolina share of 40%; a hit-and-run in 0.0%, below the South Carolina share of 4.2%; a driver recorded as distracted in 26%, above the South Carolina share of 5.0%; 56% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the South Carolina share of 53%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of South Carolina. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Union | South Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 89% | 59% | above the South Carolina share |
| At or near an intersection | 15% | 20% | below the South Carolina share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 27% | 37% | below the South Carolina share |
| A drinking driver | 44% | 32% | above the South Carolina share |
| Speeding | 45% | 40% | above the South Carolina share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 26% | 5.0% | above the South Carolina share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 56% | 53% | above the South Carolina share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 4.2% | below the South Carolina share |
| A motorcycle involved | 4.8% | 16% | below the South Carolina share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 4.2% | 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 Union County
- How many people died in car accidents in Union County in 2024?
- 10 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Union County, South Carolina, in 2024, 42.9% more than in 2023. That is 37.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 18.9 across South Carolina.
- What is the deadliest road in Union County?
- State Highway 9 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Union County from 2015 to 2024: 10, with 13 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Union County involved a drinking driver?
- 27 of 62 fatal crashes in Union County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 44%, 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 Union County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Union County (county code 87). 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.