Fatal crashes in Sullivan County, Tennessee
In 2024, 17 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Sullivan County, 30.8% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 189 fatal crashes and 202 deaths, the 8th most of any county in Tennessee.
10.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 16.6 across Tennessee in 2024; 12.7 against 16.8 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 162,703, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Tennessee.
Deaths in Sullivan County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 | 17 |
| 2023 | 10 | 13 |
| 2022 | 24 | 26 |
| 2021 | 27 | 28 |
| 2020 | 20 | 22 |
| 2019 | 21 | 23 |
| 2018 | 23 | 24 |
| 2017 | 18 | 18 |
| 2016 | 16 | 16 |
| 2015 | 14 | 15 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Sullivan County
I-81 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Sullivan County from 2015 to 2024: 27, with 34 deaths. The 9 roads listed held 65% of all fatal crashes in Sullivan County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 US routes, 4 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-81 | 27 | 34 | 7 | |
| 2 | US 11W | 21 | 22 | 4 | |
| 3 | State Highway 126 | 15 | 15 | 4 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 93 | 14 | 15 | 5 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 36 | 14 | 14 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | US 421 | 13 | 15 | 4 | no page |
| 7 | I-26 | 9 | 9 | 3 | |
| 8 | State Highway 394 | 5 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 9 | US 11E | 5 | 5 | 3 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Kingsport 80, Bristol 27, Bluff City 10. 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 Sullivan County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, noon to 4 pm, with 13 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 pm; the worst month is September.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 6.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 7.0 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.8%
- Feb7.9%
- Mar7.4%
- Apr9.5%
- May11.1%
- Jun11.1%
- Jul7.9%
- Aug6.9%
- Sep12.2%
- Oct3.7%
- Nov8.5%
- Dec9.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Sullivan County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 41%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 34%, a pedestrian in 11%, a rollover in 4.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 78 | 41% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 65 | 34% |
| Pedestrian | 20 | 11% |
| Other | 11 | 5.8% |
| Rollover | 9 | 4.8% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 1.6% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 1.6% |
| 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 Sullivan County compare with Tennessee
A drinking driver was recorded in 22% of fatal crashes in Sullivan County from 2015 to 2024, below the Tennessee share of 25%; speeding in 21%, above the Tennessee share of 17%; a hit-and-run in 4.2%, below the Tennessee share of 6.6%; a driver recorded as distracted in 4.8%, below the Tennessee share of 6.7%; 44% 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.
| Sullivan | Tennessee | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 18% | 43% | below the Tennessee share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 19% | above the Tennessee share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 24% | 26% | below the Tennessee share |
| A drinking driver | 22% | 25% | below the Tennessee share |
| Speeding | 21% | 17% | above the Tennessee share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.8% | 6.7% | below the Tennessee share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 44% | 49% | below the Tennessee share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.2% | 6.6% | below the Tennessee share |
| A motorcycle involved | 21% | 15% | above the Tennessee share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 14% | 13% | about the same as 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 Sullivan County
- How many people died in car accidents in Sullivan County in 2024?
- 17 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Sullivan County, Tennessee, in 2024, 30.8% more than in 2023. That is 10.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 16.6 across Tennessee.
- What is the deadliest road in Sullivan County?
- I-81 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Sullivan County from 2015 to 2024: 27, with 34 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Sullivan County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, noon to 4 pm, with 13 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Sullivan County involved a drinking driver?
- 41 of 189 fatal crashes in Sullivan County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 22%, 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
- Blount County
- Greene County
- Madison County
- Sevier County
- Williamson County
All fatal crashes in Tennessee, with every county ranked.
Where the Sullivan County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Sullivan County (county code 163). 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.