Fatal crashes in Jefferson County, Texas
In 2024, 45 people died in 43 fatal crashes in Jefferson County, 45.2% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 379 fatal crashes and 409 deaths, the 18th most of any county in Texas.
17.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas in 2024; 16.1 against 13.6 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 253,948, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Texas.
Deaths in Jefferson County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 43 | 45 |
| 2023 | 29 | 31 |
| 2022 | 44 | 46 |
| 2021 | 50 | 60 |
| 2020 | 48 | 48 |
| 2019 | 35 | 36 |
| 2018 | 38 | 42 |
| 2017 | 34 | 37 |
| 2016 | 33 | 37 |
| 2015 | 25 | 27 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Jefferson County
I-10 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024: 74, with 84 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 63% of all fatal crashes in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 5 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-10 | 74 | 84 | 22 | |
| 2 | US 69 | 58 | 64 | 12 | |
| 3 | US 90 | 36 | 38 | 10 | |
| 4 | State Highway 73 | 29 | 31 | 15 | |
| 5 | State Highway 82 | 14 | 17 | 3 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 87 | 9 | 10 | 2 | |
| 7 | State Highway 347 | 9 | 9 | 4 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 124 | 8 | 8 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Beaumont 164, Port Arthur 78, Port Neches 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 Jefferson County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, midnight to 4 am, with 24 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 7 pm to 8 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 | 6.3 percent, 24 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 16 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.5 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 18 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.9%
- Feb6.9%
- Mar10.3%
- Apr6.9%
- May6.1%
- Jun7.1%
- Jul10.0%
- Aug9.8%
- Sep10.6%
- Oct9.2%
- Nov7.7%
- Dec8.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Jefferson County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 39%; a pedestrian in 24%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 20%, a rollover in 7.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 146 | 39% |
| Pedestrian | 90 | 24% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 76 | 20% |
| Rollover | 30 | 7.9% |
| Cyclist | 15 | 4.0% |
| Other | 15 | 4.0% |
| 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 Jefferson County compare with Texas
A drinking driver was recorded in 20% of fatal crashes in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024, below the Texas share of 26%; speeding in 28%, below the Texas share of 32%; a hit-and-run in 9.8%, above the Texas share of 7.6%; a driver recorded as distracted in 7.9%, below the Texas share of 10%; 45% 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.
| Jefferson | Texas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 23% | 38% | below the Texas share |
| At or near an intersection | 18% | 22% | below the Texas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 35% | 31% | above the Texas share |
| A drinking driver | 20% | 26% | below the Texas share |
| Speeding | 28% | 32% | below the Texas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.9% | 10% | below the Texas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 45% | 45% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Hit-and-run | 9.8% | 7.6% | above the Texas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 16% | 14% | above the Texas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 24% | 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 Jefferson County
- How many people died in car accidents in Jefferson County in 2024?
- 45 people died in 43 fatal crashes in Jefferson County, Texas, in 2024, 45.2% more than in 2023. That is 17.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas.
- What is the deadliest road in Jefferson County?
- I-10 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Jefferson County from 2015 to 2024: 74, with 84 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Jefferson County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, midnight to 4 am, with 24 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Jefferson County involved a drinking driver?
- 77 of 379 fatal crashes in Jefferson 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
- Denton County
- Bell County
All fatal crashes in Texas, with every county ranked.
Where the Jefferson County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Jefferson County (county code 245). 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.