Fatal crashes in Polk County, Texas
In 2024, 22 people died in 21 fatal crashes in Polk County, 12.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 151 fatal crashes and 165 deaths.
40.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas in 2024; 32.4 against 13.6 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 54,258, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Texas.
Deaths in Polk County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 21 | 22 |
| 2023 | 21 | 25 |
| 2022 | 9 | 9 |
| 2021 | 19 | 20 |
| 2020 | 13 | 15 |
| 2019 | 14 | 16 |
| 2018 | 13 | 16 |
| 2017 | 15 | 15 |
| 2016 | 12 | 12 |
| 2015 | 14 | 15 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Polk County
US 59 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 40, with 45 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 65% of all fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024; 3 US routes, 1 state highway. 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 | US 59 | 40 | 45 | 11 | |
| 2 | US 190 | 37 | 41 | 8 | |
| 3 | State Highway 146 | 12 | 15 | 4 | |
| 4 | US 287 | 9 | 10 | 6 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Livingston 15, Corrigan 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 Polk 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 | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan11.3%
- Feb6.6%
- Mar3.3%
- Apr11.9%
- May9.9%
- Jun8.6%
- Jul4.6%
- Aug6.0%
- Sep9.3%
- Oct9.3%
- Nov10.6%
- Dec8.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Polk 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 24%, a rollover in 15%, a pedestrian in 13%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 64 | 42% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 36 | 24% |
| Rollover | 22 | 15% |
| Pedestrian | 19 | 13% |
| Other | 5 | 3.3% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 2.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 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 Polk County compare with Texas
A drinking driver was recorded in 24% of fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024, below the Texas share of 26%; speeding in 29%, below the Texas share of 32%; a hit-and-run in 2.6%, below the Texas share of 7.6%; a driver recorded as distracted in 6.6%, below the Texas share of 10%; 50% 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.
| Polk | Texas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 85% | 38% | above the Texas share |
| At or near an intersection | 17% | 22% | below the Texas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 47% | 31% | above the Texas share |
| A drinking driver | 24% | 26% | below the Texas share |
| Speeding | 29% | 32% | below the Texas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.6% | 10% | below the Texas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 50% | 45% | above the Texas share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.6% | 7.6% | below the Texas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 8.6% | 14% | below the Texas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 13% | 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 Polk County
- How many people died in car accidents in Polk County in 2024?
- 22 people died in 21 fatal crashes in Polk County, Texas, in 2024, 12.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 40.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas.
- What is the deadliest road in Polk County?
- US 59 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 40, with 45 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Polk County involved a drinking driver?
- 36 of 151 fatal crashes in Polk 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 Polk County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Polk County (county code 373). 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.