Fatal crashes in Rhea County, Tennessee
In 2024, 3 people died in 3 fatal crashes in Rhea County, 25.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 51 fatal crashes and 52 deaths.
Deaths in Rhea County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 | 4 |
| 2022 | 9 | 9 |
| 2021 | 5 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 | 6 |
| 2018 | 5 | 5 |
| 2017 | 6 | 6 |
| 2016 | 2 | 2 |
| 2015 | 9 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Rhea County
State Highway 30 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rhea County from 2015 to 2024: 11, with 11 deaths. The 2 roads listed held 39% of all fatal crashes in Rhea County from 2015 to 2024; 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 | State Highway 30 | 11 | 11 | 2 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 68 | 9 | 10 | 1 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Dayton 12. 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 Rhea 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 | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 8.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.9%
- Feb7.8%
- Mar0.0%
- Apr7.8%
- May2.0%
- Jun9.8%
- Jul13.7%
- Aug11.8%
- Sep13.7%
- Oct3.9%
- Nov9.8%
- Dec13.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Rhea 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 37%, a rollover in 5.9%, a pedestrian in 2.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 23 | 45% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 19 | 37% |
| Other | 5 | 9.8% |
| Rollover | 3 | 5.9% |
| Pedestrian | 1 | 2.0% |
| 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 Rhea County compare with Tennessee
A drinking driver was recorded in 20% of fatal crashes in Rhea County from 2015 to 2024, below the Tennessee share of 25%; speeding in 20%, above the Tennessee share of 17%; a hit-and-run in 2.0%, below the Tennessee share of 6.6%; a driver recorded as distracted in 9.8%, above the Tennessee share of 6.7%; 51% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the Tennessee share of 49%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Tennessee. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Rhea | Tennessee | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 65% | 43% | above the Tennessee share |
| At or near an intersection | 9.8% | 19% | below the Tennessee share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 31% | 26% | above the Tennessee share |
| A drinking driver | 20% | 25% | below the Tennessee share |
| Speeding | 20% | 17% | above the Tennessee share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 9.8% | 6.7% | above the Tennessee share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 51% | 49% | above the Tennessee share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.0% | 6.6% | below the Tennessee share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 15% | above the Tennessee share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 1.9% | 13% | below 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 Rhea County
- How many people died in car accidents in Rhea County in 2024?
- 3 people died in 3 fatal crashes in Rhea County, Tennessee, in 2024, 25.0% fewer than in 2023.
- What is the deadliest road in Rhea County?
- State Highway 30 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rhea County from 2015 to 2024: 11, with 11 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Rhea County involved a drinking driver?
- 10 of 51 fatal crashes in Rhea County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 20%, against 25% across Tennessee.
Other counties in Tennessee with a page
- Shelby County
- Davidson County
- Knox County
- Hamilton County
- Rutherford County
- Montgomery County
- Wilson County
- Sullivan County
- Blount County
- Greene County
- Madison County
- Sevier County
All fatal crashes in Tennessee, with every county ranked.
Where the Rhea County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Rhea County (county code 143). 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.