Fatal crashes in Minnehaha County, South Dakota
In 2024, 16 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Minnehaha County, 11.1% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 133 fatal crashes and 149 deaths, the 2nd most of any county in South Dakota.
7.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.8 across South Dakota in 2024; 7.6 against 14.9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 208,639, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in South Dakota.
Deaths in Minnehaha County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 16 |
| 2023 | 16 | 18 |
| 2022 | 18 | 20 |
| 2021 | 8 | 11 |
| 2020 | 20 | 23 |
| 2019 | 15 | 17 |
| 2018 | 12 | 13 |
| 2017 | 11 | 12 |
| 2016 | 9 | 9 |
| 2015 | 10 | 10 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Minnehaha County
I-90 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Minnehaha County from 2015 to 2024: 13, with 17 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 35% of all fatal crashes in Minnehaha County from 2015 to 2024; 3 are interstates, 2 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 | I-90 | 13 | 17 | 5 | |
| 2 | State Highway 42 | 11 | 15 | 3 | no page |
| 3 | I-29 | 10 | 10 | 3 | |
| 4 | I-229 | 7 | 10 | 0 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 11 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Sioux Falls 67. 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 Minnehaha 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 | 3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan2.3%
- Feb8.3%
- Mar5.3%
- Apr9.0%
- May4.5%
- Jun5.3%
- Jul13.5%
- Aug10.5%
- Sep9.0%
- Oct14.3%
- Nov10.5%
- Dec7.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Minnehaha County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 38%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 26%, a rollover in 16%, a pedestrian in 12%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 51 | 38% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 34 | 26% |
| Rollover | 21 | 16% |
| Pedestrian | 16 | 12% |
| Other | 6 | 4.5% |
| Cyclist | 4 | 3.0% |
| 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 Minnehaha County compare with South Dakota
A drinking driver was recorded in 31% of fatal crashes in Minnehaha County from 2015 to 2024, below the South Dakota share of 35%; speeding in 24%, below the South Dakota share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 3.0%, above the South Dakota share of 1.8%; a driver recorded as distracted in 4.5%, below the South Dakota share of 5.9%; 60% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below 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.
| Minnehaha | South Dakota | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 44% | 82% | below the South Dakota share |
| At or near an intersection | 28% | 19% | above the South Dakota share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 23% | 31% | below the South Dakota share |
| A drinking driver | 31% | 35% | below the South Dakota share |
| Speeding | 24% | 27% | below the South Dakota share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.5% | 5.9% | below the South Dakota share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 60% | 66% | below the South Dakota share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.0% | 1.8% | above the South Dakota share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 19% | about the same as the South Dakota share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 11% | 7.7% | above 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 Minnehaha County
- How many people died in car accidents in Minnehaha County in 2024?
- 16 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, in 2024, 11.1% fewer than in 2023. That is 7.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 15.8 across South Dakota.
- What is the deadliest road in Minnehaha County?
- I-90 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Minnehaha County from 2015 to 2024: 13, with 17 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Minnehaha County involved a drinking driver?
- 41 of 133 fatal crashes in Minnehaha County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 31%, 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 Minnehaha County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Minnehaha County (county code 99). 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.