Fatal crashes in Ellis County, Texas
In 2024, 41 people died in 40 fatal crashes in Ellis County, 10.8% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 293 fatal crashes and 326 deaths.
17.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas in 2024; 16.9 against 13.6 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 232,387, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Texas.
Deaths in Ellis County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 40 | 41 |
| 2023 | 31 | 37 |
| 2022 | 28 | 33 |
| 2021 | 33 | 35 |
| 2020 | 43 | 50 |
| 2019 | 23 | 28 |
| 2018 | 16 | 16 |
| 2017 | 31 | 33 |
| 2016 | 25 | 28 |
| 2015 | 23 | 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 Ellis County
US 287 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Ellis County from 2015 to 2024: 43, with 50 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 57% of all fatal crashes in Ellis County from 2015 to 2024; 3 are interstates, 3 US routes, 1 state highway. 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 287 | 43 | 50 | 19 | |
| 2 | I-45 | 43 | 46 | 15 | |
| 3 | I-35E | 28 | 31 | 8 | |
| 4 | I-35 | 18 | 20 | 5 | |
| 5 | State Highway 34 | 12 | 17 | 3 | |
| 6 | US 77 | 12 | 13 | 6 | |
| 7 | US 67 | 10 | 11 | 3 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Midlothian 41, Waxahachie 35, Ennis 26, Red Oak 19, Palmer 11, Milford 8, Italy 7, Ferris 7. 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 Ellis County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, 8 pm to midnight, with 18 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is May.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 5.8 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 6.1 percent, 18 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.5%
- Feb6.8%
- Mar7.2%
- Apr9.2%
- May10.2%
- Jun6.8%
- Jul7.2%
- Aug9.6%
- Sep8.5%
- Oct9.2%
- Nov6.5%
- Dec10.2%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Ellis County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 39%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 28%, a rollover in 16%, a pedestrian in 9.6%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 113 | 39% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 83 | 28% |
| Rollover | 46 | 16% |
| Pedestrian | 28 | 9.6% |
| Other | 12 | 4.1% |
| Cyclist | 6 | 2.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 5 | 1.7% |
| 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 Ellis County compare with Texas
A drinking driver was recorded in 29% of fatal crashes in Ellis County from 2015 to 2024, above the Texas share of 26%; speeding in 37%, above the Texas share of 32%; a hit-and-run in 3.4%, below the Texas share of 7.6%; a driver recorded as distracted in 20%, above the Texas share of 10%; 44% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, about the Texas share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Texas. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Ellis | Texas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 41% | 38% | above the Texas share |
| At or near an intersection | 13% | 22% | below the Texas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 46% | 31% | above the Texas share |
| A drinking driver | 29% | 26% | above the Texas share |
| Speeding | 37% | 32% | above the Texas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 20% | 10% | above the Texas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 44% | 45% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.4% | 7.6% | below the Texas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 14% | above the Texas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 11% | 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 Ellis County
- How many people died in car accidents in Ellis County in 2024?
- 41 people died in 40 fatal crashes in Ellis County, Texas, in 2024, 10.8% more than in 2023. That is 17.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas.
- What is the deadliest road in Ellis County?
- US 287 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Ellis County from 2015 to 2024: 43, with 50 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Ellis County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, 8 pm to midnight, with 18 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Ellis County involved a drinking driver?
- 84 of 293 fatal crashes in Ellis County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 29%, 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
- Denton County
- Bell County
All fatal crashes in Texas, with every county ranked.
Where the Ellis County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Ellis County (county code 139). 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.