Fatal crashes in Palo Pinto County, Texas
In 2024, 9 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Palo Pinto County, Texas, up from 6 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 72 fatal crashes and 79 deaths, the 103rd most of 254 counties in Texas.
Deaths in Palo Pinto County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 9 |
| 2023 | 4 | 6 |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 |
| 2021 | 6 | 8 |
| 2020 | 11 | 12 |
| 2019 | 4 | 4 |
| 2018 | 8 | 9 |
| 2017 | 8 | 8 |
| 2016 | 8 | 8 |
| 2015 | 9 | 10 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Palo Pinto County
US 281 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Palo Pinto County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 21 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 78% of all fatal crashes in Palo Pinto County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 2 state highways. 82% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 18% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 281 | 19 | 21 | 3 | |
| 2 | I-20 | 13 | 15 | 4 | |
| 3 | State Highway 16 | 9 | 10 | 3 | |
| 4 | US 180 | 8 | 8 | 0 | |
| 5 | State Highway 337 | 7 | 9 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Mineral Wells 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 Palo Pinto County
72 fatal crashes in Palo Pinto County, Texas from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 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 | 6.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 4.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.3%
- Feb8.3%
- Mar6.9%
- Apr4.2%
- May9.7%
- Jun8.3%
- Jul9.7%
- Aug9.7%
- Sep13.9%
- Oct4.2%
- Nov11.1%
- Dec5.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Palo Pinto County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 38%; a collision with another vehicle in 36%, a rollover in 18%, a pedestrian in 4.2%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 27 | 38% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 26 | 36% |
| Rollover | 13 | 18% |
| Pedestrian | 3 | 4.2% |
| Other | 3 | 4.2% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Palo Pinto County compare with Texas
The largest difference from Texas: from 2015 to 2024, 88% of fatal crashes in Palo Pinto County were on rural roads, against 38% across Texas. Below the Texas share: intersections, hit-and-runs 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 72 crashes.
| Palo Pinto | Texas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 88% | 38% | above the Texas share |
| At or near an intersection | 11% | 22% | below the Texas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 35% | 31% | about the same as the Texas share |
| A drinking driver | 22% | 26% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Speeding | 40% | 32% | about the same as the Texas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 13% | 10% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 42% | 45% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 7.6% | below the Texas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 14% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 3.8% | 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 Palo Pinto County, Texas
- How many people died in car accidents in Palo Pinto County in 2024?
- 9 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Palo Pinto County, Texas, in 2024, up from 6 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Palo Pinto County?
- US 281 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Palo Pinto County from 2015 to 2024: 19, with 21 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Palo Pinto County involved a drinking driver?
- 16 of 72 fatal crashes in Palo Pinto County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 22%, 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 Palo Pinto County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Palo Pinto County (county code 363). 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/palo-pinto-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”