Fatal crashes in Lawrence County, South Dakota
In 2024, 11 people died in 10 fatal crashes in Lawrence County, 8.3% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 75 fatal crashes and 80 deaths, the 3rd most of any county in South Dakota.
38.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.8 across South Dakota in 2024; 30.4 against 14.9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 28,809, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in South Dakota.
Deaths in Lawrence County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | 11 |
| 2023 | 12 | 12 |
| 2022 | 4 | 4 |
| 2021 | 8 | 8 |
| 2020 | 9 | 12 |
| 2019 | 4 | 4 |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 |
| 2017 | 8 | 8 |
| 2016 | 9 | 10 |
| 2015 | 8 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Lawrence County
US 14A had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lawrence County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 17 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 55% of all fatal crashes in Lawrence County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 3 US routes. 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 | US 14A | 16 | 17 | 0 | no page |
| 2 | I-90 | 12 | 14 | 3 | |
| 3 | US 14 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
| 4 | US 85 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Spearfish 9. 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 Lawrence 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 | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 9.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan2.7%
- Feb1.3%
- Mar4.0%
- Apr5.3%
- May2.7%
- Jun9.3%
- Jul14.7%
- Aug29.3%
- Sep12.0%
- Oct12.0%
- Nov4.0%
- Dec2.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Lawrence County first hit
The first harmful event was a rollover in 41%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 27%, a collision with another vehicle in 23%, a pedestrian in 5.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Rollover | 31 | 41% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 20 | 27% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 17 | 23% |
| Pedestrian | 4 | 5.3% |
| Other | 3 | 4.0% |
| 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 Lawrence County compare with South Dakota
A drinking driver was recorded in 39% of fatal crashes in Lawrence County from 2015 to 2024, above the South Dakota share of 35%; speeding in 40%, above the South Dakota share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 0.0%, below the South Dakota share of 1.8%; a driver recorded as distracted in 2.7%, below the South Dakota share of 5.9%; 69% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the South Dakota share of 66%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of South Dakota. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Lawrence | South Dakota | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 81% | 82% | about the same as the South Dakota share |
| At or near an intersection | 12% | 19% | below the South Dakota share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 19% | 31% | below the South Dakota share |
| A drinking driver | 39% | 35% | above the South Dakota share |
| Speeding | 40% | 27% | above the South Dakota share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 2.7% | 5.9% | below the South Dakota share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 69% | 66% | above the South Dakota share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 1.8% | below the South Dakota share |
| A motorcycle involved | 47% | 19% | above the South Dakota share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 5.0% | 7.7% | below the South Dakota 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 Lawrence County
- How many people died in car accidents in Lawrence County in 2024?
- 11 people died in 10 fatal crashes in Lawrence County, South Dakota, in 2024, 8.3% fewer than in 2023. That is 38.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.8 across South Dakota.
- What is the deadliest road in Lawrence County?
- US 14A had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lawrence County from 2015 to 2024: 16, with 17 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Lawrence County involved a drinking driver?
- 29 of 75 fatal crashes in Lawrence County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 39%, against 35% across South Dakota.
Other counties in South Dakota with a page
All fatal crashes in South Dakota, with every county ranked.
Where the Lawrence County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Lawrence County (county code 81). 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.