Fatal crashes in Nueces County, Texas
In 2024, 48 people died in 46 fatal crashes in Nueces County, Texas, 6.7% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 415 fatal crashes and 445 deaths, the 15th most of 254 counties in Texas.
13.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas in 2024; 12.5 against 13.6 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 353,125, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Texas.
Deaths in Nueces County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 46 | 48 |
| 2023 | 42 | 45 |
| 2022 | 38 | 43 |
| 2021 | 47 | 47 |
| 2020 | 36 | 39 |
| 2019 | 43 | 46 |
| 2018 | 35 | 39 |
| 2017 | 48 | 51 |
| 2016 | 42 | 45 |
| 2015 | 38 | 42 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Nueces County
State Highway 358 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Nueces County from 2015 to 2024: 55, with 57 deaths. The 9 roads listed held 40% of all fatal crashes in Nueces County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 2 US routes, 5 state highways. 41% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 59% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 358 | 55 | 57 | 17 | |
| 2 | I-37 | 33 | 34 | 6 | |
| 3 | State Highway 286 | 15 | 16 | 5 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 361 | 14 | 17 | 8 | no page |
| 5 | US 181 | 13 | 17 | 1 | |
| 6 | State Highway 357 | 13 | 14 | 5 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 44 | 10 | 10 | 0 | no page |
| 8 | I-69E | 7 | 7 | 0 | no page |
| 9 | US 77 | 6 | 8 | 2 |
Corpus Christi had 72% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 299 of 415.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Corpus Christi 299, Robstown 8. 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 Nueces County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Friday), with 28 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 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 | 5.8 percent, 24 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 21 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.7 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 19 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 18 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 4.3 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 6.3 percent, 26 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 6.7 percent, 28 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 18 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.1%
- Feb8.4%
- Mar10.1%
- Apr7.0%
- May7.0%
- Jun6.5%
- Jul6.7%
- Aug9.2%
- Sep9.2%
- Oct11.1%
- Nov10.1%
- Dec9.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Nueces County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 34%; a pedestrian in 27%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 21%, a rollover in 7.2%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 140 | 34% |
| Pedestrian | 112 | 27% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 85 | 21% |
| Rollover | 30 | 7.2% |
| Other | 21 | 5.1% |
| Cyclist | 18 | 4.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 9 | 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 Nueces County compare with Texas
The largest difference from Texas: from 2015 to 2024, 19% of fatal crashes in Nueces County were on rural roads, against 38% across Texas. Also above the Texas share: motorcycles and pedestrians. Below it: unlit roads at night. 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 415 crashes.
| Nueces | Texas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 19% | 38% | below the Texas share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 22% | about the same as the Texas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 24% | 31% | below the Texas share |
| A drinking driver | 27% | 26% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Speeding | 32% | 32% | about the same as the Texas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 10% | 10% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 41% | 45% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Hit-and-run | 9.2% | 7.6% | about the same as the Texas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 14% | above the Texas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 27% | 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 Nueces County, Texas
- How many people died in car accidents in Nueces County in 2024?
- 48 people died in 46 fatal crashes in Nueces County, Texas, in 2024, 6.7% more than in 2023. That is 13.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Nueces County?
- State Highway 358 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Nueces County from 2015 to 2024: 55, with 57 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Nueces County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Friday), with 28 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Nueces County involved a drinking driver?
- 113 of 415 fatal crashes in Nueces County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 27%, 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 Nueces County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Nueces County (county code 355). 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/nueces-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”