Fatal crashes in Rutherford County, Tennessee
In 2024, 44 people died in 38 fatal crashes in Rutherford County, 18.9% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 340 fatal crashes and 366 deaths, the 5th most of any county in Tennessee.
11.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 16.6 across Tennessee in 2024; 10.8 against 16.8 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 376,996, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Tennessee.
Deaths in Rutherford County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 38 | 44 |
| 2023 | 35 | 37 |
| 2022 | 38 | 39 |
| 2021 | 28 | 30 |
| 2020 | 44 | 46 |
| 2019 | 26 | 27 |
| 2018 | 34 | 37 |
| 2017 | 33 | 38 |
| 2016 | 40 | 43 |
| 2015 | 24 | 25 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Rutherford County
I-24 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rutherford County from 2015 to 2024: 61, with 74 deaths. The 10 roads listed held 64% of all fatal crashes in Rutherford County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 US routes, 5 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-24 | 61 | 74 | 20 | |
| 2 | US 231 | 35 | 36 | 10 | |
| 3 | US 41 | 32 | 33 | 13 | |
| 4 | State Highway 96 | 22 | 25 | 7 | |
| 5 | I-840 | 19 | 20 | 7 | |
| 6 | State Highway 266 | 13 | 13 | 4 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 102 | 12 | 12 | 3 | no page |
| 8 | US 70S | 9 | 9 | 3 | |
| 9 | State Highway 99 | 8 | 10 | 1 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 268 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Murfreesboro 98, Smyrna 39, La Vergne 18. 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 Rutherford County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 4 to 8 pm, with 16 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 pm; the worst month is June.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.2%
- Feb5.9%
- Mar5.9%
- Apr7.4%
- May8.5%
- Jun11.2%
- Jul8.2%
- Aug11.2%
- Sep6.8%
- Oct10.3%
- Nov7.9%
- Dec10.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Rutherford County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 46%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 33%, a pedestrian in 11%, a rollover in 4.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 157 | 46% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 112 | 33% |
| Pedestrian | 37 | 11% |
| Rollover | 15 | 4.4% |
| Cyclist | 8 | 2.4% |
| Other | 8 | 2.4% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 0.9% |
| 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 Rutherford County compare with Tennessee
A drinking driver was recorded in 25% of fatal crashes in Rutherford County from 2015 to 2024, about the Tennessee share; speeding in 18%, above the Tennessee share of 17%; a hit-and-run in 5.6%, about the Tennessee share; a driver recorded as distracted in 8.2%, above the Tennessee share of 6.7%; 37% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below 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.
| Rutherford | Tennessee | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 25% | 43% | below the Tennessee share |
| At or near an intersection | 17% | 19% | below the Tennessee share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 27% | 26% | above the Tennessee share |
| A drinking driver | 25% | 25% | about the same as the Tennessee share |
| Speeding | 18% | 17% | above the Tennessee share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 8.2% | 6.7% | above the Tennessee share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 37% | 49% | below the Tennessee share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.6% | 6.6% | about the same as the Tennessee share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 15% | below the Tennessee share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 10% | 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 Rutherford County
- How many people died in car accidents in Rutherford County in 2024?
- 44 people died in 38 fatal crashes in Rutherford County, Tennessee, in 2024, 18.9% more than in 2023. That is 11.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 16.6 across Tennessee.
- What is the deadliest road in Rutherford County?
- I-24 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rutherford County from 2015 to 2024: 61, with 74 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Rutherford County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 4 to 8 pm, with 16 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Rutherford County involved a drinking driver?
- 84 of 340 fatal crashes in Rutherford County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 25%, against 25% across Tennessee.
Other counties in Tennessee with a page
- Shelby County
- Davidson County
- Knox County
- Hamilton 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 Rutherford County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Rutherford County (county code 149). 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.