Fatal crashes in Denton County, Texas
In 2024, 50 people died in 47 fatal crashes in Denton County, 5.7% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 479 fatal crashes and 521 deaths, the 11th most of any county in Texas.
4.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas in 2024; 5.7 against 13.6 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 1,045,120, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Texas.
Deaths in Denton County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 47 | 50 |
| 2023 | 52 | 53 |
| 2022 | 46 | 48 |
| 2021 | 62 | 71 |
| 2020 | 55 | 59 |
| 2019 | 47 | 52 |
| 2018 | 46 | 52 |
| 2017 | 44 | 49 |
| 2016 | 42 | 49 |
| 2015 | 38 | 38 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Denton County
I-35 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Denton County from 2015 to 2024: 55, with 60 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 42% of all fatal crashes in Denton County from 2015 to 2024; 3 are interstates, 3 US routes, 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-35 | 55 | 60 | 18 | |
| 2 | US 377 | 39 | 48 | 10 | |
| 3 | US 380 | 34 | 35 | 10 | |
| 4 | I-35E | 32 | 37 | 6 | |
| 5 | State Highway 114 | 14 | 14 | 5 | |
| 6 | State Highway 121 | 9 | 10 | 5 | |
| 7 | I-35W | 8 | 11 | 0 | no page |
| 8 | US 77 | 8 | 8 | 2 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Denton 123, Lewisville 72, Carrollton 22, Little Elm 16, Flower Mound 16, The Colony 14, Frisco 14, Sanger 13. 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 Denton County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 24 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 pm; the worst month is April.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.4 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 18 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 17 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.8 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 24 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan10.0%
- Feb5.6%
- Mar8.8%
- Apr10.2%
- May7.5%
- Jun7.5%
- Jul7.7%
- Aug8.1%
- Sep10.2%
- Oct8.4%
- Nov6.5%
- Dec9.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Denton 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 23%, a pedestrian in 15%, a rollover in 6.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 220 | 46% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 108 | 23% |
| Pedestrian | 73 | 15% |
| Rollover | 31 | 6.5% |
| Other | 31 | 6.5% |
| Cyclist | 10 | 2.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 6 | 1.3% |
| 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 Denton County compare with Texas
A drinking driver was recorded in 20% of fatal crashes in Denton County from 2015 to 2024, below the Texas share of 26%; speeding in 38%, above the Texas share of 32%; a hit-and-run in 5.6%, below the Texas share of 7.6%; a driver recorded as distracted in 11%, about the Texas share; 41% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Texas share of 45%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Texas. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Denton | Texas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 20% | 38% | below the Texas share |
| At or near an intersection | 25% | 22% | above the Texas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 26% | 31% | below the Texas share |
| A drinking driver | 20% | 26% | below the Texas share |
| Speeding | 38% | 32% | above the Texas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 11% | 10% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 41% | 45% | below the Texas share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.6% | 7.6% | below the Texas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 24% | 14% | above the Texas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 16% | 18% | below the Texas 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 Denton County
- How many people died in car accidents in Denton County in 2024?
- 50 people died in 47 fatal crashes in Denton County, Texas, in 2024, 5.7% fewer than in 2023. That is 4.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas.
- What is the deadliest road in Denton County?
- I-35 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Denton County from 2015 to 2024: 55, with 60 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Denton County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 24 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Denton County involved a drinking driver?
- 94 of 479 fatal crashes in Denton County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 20%, against 26% across Texas.
Other counties in Texas with a page
- Harris County
- Dallas County
- Bexar County
- Tarrant County
- Travis County
- El Paso County
- Hidalgo County
- Montgomery County
- Collin County
- Smith County
- Bell County
- Lubbock County
All fatal crashes in Texas, with every county ranked.
Where the Denton County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Denton County (county code 121). 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.