Fatal crashes in Galveston County, Texas
In 2024, 39 people died in 34 fatal crashes in Galveston County, the same as in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 380 fatal crashes and 411 deaths, the 17th most of any county in Texas.
10.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas in 2024; 11.9 against 13.6 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 367,407, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Texas.
Deaths in Galveston County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 34 | 39 |
| 2023 | 35 | 39 |
| 2022 | 45 | 50 |
| 2021 | 34 | 35 |
| 2020 | 38 | 39 |
| 2019 | 36 | 40 |
| 2018 | 38 | 40 |
| 2017 | 38 | 40 |
| 2016 | 41 | 45 |
| 2015 | 41 | 44 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Galveston County
I-45 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Galveston County from 2015 to 2024: 53, with 55 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 40% of all fatal crashes in Galveston County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 6 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-45 | 53 | 55 | 16 | |
| 2 | State Highway 87 | 33 | 37 | 12 | |
| 3 | State Highway 146 | 21 | 22 | 3 | |
| 4 | State Highway 3 | 18 | 19 | 5 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 6 | 13 | 13 | 4 | |
| 6 | State Highway 96 | 10 | 10 | 2 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 275 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Galveston 94, League City 53, Texas City 47, La Marque 33, Hitchcock 20, Dickinson 15, Santa Fe 15, Friendswood 6. 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 Galveston County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, 8 pm to midnight, with 25 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 pm; the worst month is November.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 5.3 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 6.6 percent, 25 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 3.2 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 19 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.2 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 6.1 percent, 23 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.6%
- Feb6.1%
- Mar8.9%
- Apr6.1%
- May8.2%
- Jun8.2%
- Jul8.9%
- Aug8.4%
- Sep10.3%
- Oct8.4%
- Nov10.8%
- Dec9.2%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Galveston County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 39%; a pedestrian in 22%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 22%, a cyclist in 6.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 147 | 39% |
| Pedestrian | 85 | 22% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 85 | 22% |
| Cyclist | 23 | 6.1% |
| Rollover | 17 | 4.5% |
| Other | 16 | 4.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 7 | 1.8% |
| 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 Galveston County compare with Texas
A drinking driver was recorded in 33% of fatal crashes in Galveston County from 2015 to 2024, above the Texas share of 26%; speeding in 33%, about the Texas share; a hit-and-run in 8.4%, about the Texas share; a driver recorded as distracted in 14%, above the Texas share of 10%; 51% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above 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.
| Galveston | Texas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 7.2% | 38% | below the Texas share |
| At or near an intersection | 26% | 22% | above the Texas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 32% | 31% | about the same as the Texas share |
| A drinking driver | 33% | 26% | above the Texas share |
| Speeding | 33% | 32% | about the same as the Texas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 14% | 10% | above the Texas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 51% | 45% | above the Texas share |
| Hit-and-run | 8.4% | 7.6% | about the same as the Texas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 25% | 14% | above the Texas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 22% | 18% | above 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 Galveston County
- How many people died in car accidents in Galveston County in 2024?
- 39 people died in 34 fatal crashes in Galveston County, Texas, in 2024, the same as in 2023. That is 10.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas.
- What is the deadliest road in Galveston County?
- I-45 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Galveston County from 2015 to 2024: 53, with 55 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Galveston County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, 8 pm to midnight, with 25 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Galveston County involved a drinking driver?
- 126 of 380 fatal crashes in Galveston County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 33%, 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 Galveston County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Galveston County (county code 167). 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.