Fatal crashes in McLennan County, Texas
In 2024, 22 people died in 22 fatal crashes in McLennan County, Texas, 35.3% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 318 fatal crashes and 342 deaths, the 22nd most of 254 counties in Texas.
8.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas in 2024; 13.2 against 13.6 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 270,358, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Texas.
Deaths in McLennan County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22 | 22 |
| 2023 | 32 | 34 |
| 2022 | 38 | 41 |
| 2021 | 35 | 37 |
| 2020 | 32 | 33 |
| 2019 | 37 | 40 |
| 2018 | 30 | 33 |
| 2017 | 40 | 44 |
| 2016 | 25 | 28 |
| 2015 | 27 | 30 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in McLennan County
I-35 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in McLennan County from 2015 to 2024: 66, with 75 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 42% of all fatal crashes in McLennan County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 2 state highways. 47% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 53% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-35 | 66 | 75 | 19 | |
| 2 | US 84 | 29 | 30 | 9 | |
| 3 | State Highway 6 | 24 | 26 | 8 | |
| 4 | State Highway 31 | 9 | 14 | 0 | |
| 5 | US 77 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
Waco had 35% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 112 of 318.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Waco 112, Bellmead 24, Robinson 10, Hewitt 6, Lorena 6, Mcgregor 6, Lacy Lakeview 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 McLennan County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 19 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 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 | 5.0 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 19 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.3%
- Feb4.7%
- Mar7.9%
- Apr9.1%
- May8.5%
- Jun10.4%
- Jul10.4%
- Aug9.1%
- Sep11.0%
- Oct8.5%
- Nov7.2%
- Dec7.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in McLennan County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 35%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 26%, a pedestrian in 20%, a rollover in 11%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 112 | 35% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 82 | 26% |
| Pedestrian | 64 | 20% |
| Rollover | 34 | 11% |
| Other | 13 | 4.1% |
| Cyclist | 9 | 2.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 4 | 1.3% |
| 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 McLennan County compare with Texas
From 2015 to 2024, every share for McLennan County is within chance of 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; above or below means more than chance would give on 318 crashes.
| McLennan | Texas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 37% | 38% | about the same as the Texas share |
| At or near an intersection | 23% | 22% | about the same as the Texas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 34% | 31% | about the same as the Texas share |
| A drinking driver | 24% | 26% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Speeding | 35% | 32% | about the same as the Texas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 12% | 10% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 41% | 45% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Hit-and-run | 7.2% | 7.6% | about the same as the Texas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 14% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 21% | 18% | about the same as 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 McLennan County, Texas
- How many people died in car accidents in McLennan County in 2024?
- 22 people died in 22 fatal crashes in McLennan County, Texas, in 2024, 35.3% fewer than in 2023. That is 8.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in McLennan County?
- I-35 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in McLennan County from 2015 to 2024: 66, with 75 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in McLennan County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 19 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in McLennan County involved a drinking driver?
- 75 of 318 fatal crashes in McLennan County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 24%, 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 McLennan County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in McLennan County (county code 309). 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/mclennan-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”