Fatal crashes in Hays County, Texas
In 2024, 28 people died in 26 fatal crashes in Hays County, Texas, 22.2% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 267 fatal crashes and 302 deaths, the 25th most of 254 counties in Texas.
9.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas in 2024; 12.5 against 13.6 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 292,029, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Texas.
Deaths in Hays County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 26 | 28 |
| 2023 | 32 | 36 |
| 2022 | 38 | 39 |
| 2021 | 25 | 29 |
| 2020 | 29 | 30 |
| 2019 | 26 | 29 |
| 2018 | 22 | 25 |
| 2017 | 26 | 30 |
| 2016 | 27 | 39 |
| 2015 | 16 | 17 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Hays County
I-35 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Hays County from 2015 to 2024: 60, with 68 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 42% of all fatal crashes in Hays County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 3 state highways. 44% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 56% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-35 | 60 | 68 | 19 | |
| 2 | US 290 | 22 | 30 | 5 | |
| 3 | State Highway 123 | 14 | 17 | 9 | |
| 4 | State Highway 21 | 10 | 11 | 4 | |
| 5 | State Highway 80 | 7 | 8 | 4 |
San Marcos had 30% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 79 of 267.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: San Marcos 79, Kyle 26, Buda 19. 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 Hays County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Saturday), with 22 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 8.2 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 5.2 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.6%
- Feb6.0%
- Mar6.4%
- Apr7.1%
- May7.9%
- Jun6.7%
- Jul8.2%
- Aug10.9%
- Sep10.9%
- Oct11.2%
- Nov8.6%
- Dec10.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Hays 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 22%, a pedestrian in 13%, a rollover in 12%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 122 | 46% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 58 | 22% |
| Pedestrian | 34 | 13% |
| Rollover | 32 | 12% |
| Other | 13 | 4.9% |
| Cyclist | 4 | 1.5% |
| Parked vehicle | 4 | 1.5% |
| 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 Hays County compare with Texas
The largest difference from Texas: from 2015 to 2024, 43% of fatal crashes in Hays County were with speeding recorded, against 32% across Texas. Also above the Texas share: unlit roads at night. Below it: unbelted occupants and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Texas. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 267 crashes.
| Hays | Texas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 38% | 38% | about the same as the Texas share |
| At or near an intersection | 17% | 22% | about the same as the Texas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 38% | 31% | above the Texas share |
| A drinking driver | 25% | 26% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Speeding | 43% | 32% | above the Texas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 11% | 10% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 34% | 45% | below the Texas share |
| Hit-and-run | 7.5% | 7.6% | about the same as the Texas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 14% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 12% | 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 Hays County, Texas
- How many people died in car accidents in Hays County in 2024?
- 28 people died in 26 fatal crashes in Hays County, Texas, in 2024, 22.2% fewer than in 2023. That is 9.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Hays County?
- I-35 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Hays County from 2015 to 2024: 60, with 68 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Hays County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Saturday), with 22 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Hays County involved a drinking driver?
- 67 of 267 fatal crashes in Hays County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 25%, 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 Hays County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Hays County (county code 209). 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. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/texas/hays-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”