Fatal crashes in Matagorda County, Texas
In 2024, 12 people died in 11 fatal crashes in Matagorda County, 100.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 89 fatal crashes and 96 deaths.
33 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas in 2024; 26.3 against 13.6 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 36,391, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Texas.
Deaths in Matagorda County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | 12 |
| 2023 | 5 | 6 |
| 2022 | 6 | 6 |
| 2021 | 11 | 12 |
| 2020 | 9 | 10 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 |
| 2018 | 6 | 6 |
| 2017 | 8 | 10 |
| 2016 | 10 | 10 |
| 2015 | 13 | 13 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Matagorda County
State Highway 35 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Matagorda County from 2015 to 2024: 23, with 26 deaths. The 2 roads listed held 40% of all fatal crashes in Matagorda County from 2015 to 2024; 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 | State Highway 35 | 23 | 26 | 11 | |
| 2 | State Highway 60 | 13 | 14 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Bay City 8, Palacios 5. 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 Matagorda County
Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.0%
- Feb6.7%
- Mar9.0%
- Apr12.4%
- May7.9%
- Jun11.2%
- Jul10.1%
- Aug9.0%
- Sep6.7%
- Oct10.1%
- Nov3.4%
- Dec4.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Matagorda County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 42%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 23%, a rollover in 14%, a pedestrian in 12%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 37 | 42% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 20 | 23% |
| Rollover | 12 | 14% |
| Pedestrian | 11 | 12% |
| Other | 5 | 5.6% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 2.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 2.2% |
| 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 Matagorda County compare with Texas
A drinking driver was recorded in 20% of fatal crashes in Matagorda County from 2015 to 2024, below the Texas share of 26%; speeding in 33%, about the Texas share; a hit-and-run in 3.4%, below the Texas share of 7.6%; a driver recorded as distracted in 12%, above the Texas share of 10%; 49% 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.
| Matagorda | Texas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 81% | 38% | above the Texas share |
| At or near an intersection | 17% | 22% | below the Texas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 44% | 31% | above the Texas share |
| A drinking driver | 20% | 26% | below the Texas share |
| Speeding | 33% | 32% | about the same as the Texas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 12% | 10% | above the Texas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 49% | 45% | above the Texas share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.4% | 7.6% | below the Texas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 7.9% | 14% | below 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 Matagorda County
- How many people died in car accidents in Matagorda County in 2024?
- 12 people died in 11 fatal crashes in Matagorda County, Texas, in 2024, 100.0% more than in 2023. That is 33 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas.
- What is the deadliest road in Matagorda County?
- State Highway 35 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Matagorda County from 2015 to 2024: 23, with 26 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Matagorda County involved a drinking driver?
- 18 of 89 fatal crashes in Matagorda 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 Matagorda County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Matagorda County (county code 321). 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.