Fatal crashes in Hamilton County, Tennessee
In 2024, 39 people died in 35 fatal crashes in Hamilton County, 23.5% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 406 fatal crashes and 440 deaths, the 4th most of any county in Tennessee.
10.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 16.6 across Tennessee in 2024; 11.9 against 16.8 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 386,256, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Tennessee.
Deaths in Hamilton County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 35 | 39 |
| 2023 | 48 | 51 |
| 2022 | 45 | 47 |
| 2021 | 49 | 51 |
| 2020 | 38 | 45 |
| 2019 | 55 | 56 |
| 2018 | 42 | 43 |
| 2017 | 26 | 27 |
| 2016 | 33 | 39 |
| 2015 | 35 | 42 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Hamilton County
US 11 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Hamilton County from 2015 to 2024: 35, with 36 deaths. The 13 roads listed held 59% of all fatal crashes in Hamilton County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 US routes, 8 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 | US 11 | 35 | 36 | 8 | |
| 2 | I-24 | 34 | 39 | 14 | |
| 3 | I-75 | 30 | 36 | 11 | |
| 4 | US 27 | 28 | 29 | 11 | |
| 5 | State Highway 58 | 23 | 24 | 4 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 153 | 21 | 21 | 9 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 319 | 20 | 21 | 8 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 317 | 13 | 13 | 4 | no page |
| 9 | US 41 | 10 | 12 | 4 | |
| 10 | State Highway 312 | 7 | 9 | 5 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 27 | 7 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 12 | State Highway 111 | 5 | 5 | 1 | |
| 13 | State Highway 320 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Chattanooga 249, Soddy Daisy 16, East Ridge 8. 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 Hamilton County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 21 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 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 | 4.6 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 16 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 21 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.9 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.9%
- Feb7.1%
- Mar8.1%
- Apr10.1%
- May7.6%
- Jun7.9%
- Jul8.9%
- Aug6.7%
- Sep8.6%
- Oct10.6%
- Nov7.6%
- Dec7.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Hamilton County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 42%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 30%, a pedestrian in 15%, a rollover in 4.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 169 | 42% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 122 | 30% |
| Pedestrian | 62 | 15% |
| Rollover | 20 | 4.9% |
| Other | 20 | 4.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 7 | 1.7% |
| Cyclist | 6 | 1.5% |
| 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 Hamilton County compare with Tennessee
A drinking driver was recorded in 27% of fatal crashes in Hamilton County from 2015 to 2024, above the Tennessee share of 25%; speeding in 27%, above the Tennessee share of 17%; a hit-and-run in 9.4%, above the Tennessee share of 6.6%; a driver recorded as distracted in 6.9%, about the Tennessee share; 48% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, about the Tennessee share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Tennessee. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Hamilton | Tennessee | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 7.9% | 43% | below the Tennessee share |
| At or near an intersection | 20% | 19% | about the same as the Tennessee share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 22% | 26% | below the Tennessee share |
| A drinking driver | 27% | 25% | above the Tennessee share |
| Speeding | 27% | 17% | above the Tennessee share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.9% | 6.7% | about the same as the Tennessee share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 48% | 49% | about the same as the Tennessee share |
| Hit-and-run | 9.4% | 6.6% | above the Tennessee share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 15% | above the Tennessee share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 16% | 13% | above the Tennessee 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 Hamilton County
- How many people died in car accidents in Hamilton County in 2024?
- 39 people died in 35 fatal crashes in Hamilton County, Tennessee, in 2024, 23.5% fewer than in 2023. That is 10.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 16.6 across Tennessee.
- What is the deadliest road in Hamilton County?
- US 11 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Hamilton County from 2015 to 2024: 35, with 36 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Hamilton County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 21 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Hamilton County involved a drinking driver?
- 108 of 406 fatal crashes in Hamilton County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 27%, against 25% across Tennessee.
Other counties in Tennessee with a page
- Shelby County
- Davidson County
- Knox County
- Rutherford County
- Montgomery County
- Wilson County
- Sullivan County
- Blount County
- Greene County
- Madison County
- Sevier County
- Williamson County
All fatal crashes in Tennessee, with every county ranked.
Where the Hamilton County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Hamilton County (county code 65). 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.