Fatal crashes in Smith County, Texas
In 2024, 53 people died in 46 fatal crashes in Smith County, 26.4% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 492 fatal crashes and 562 deaths, the 10th most of any county in Texas.
21.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas in 2024; 24 against 13.6 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 249,091, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Texas.
Deaths in Smith County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 46 | 53 |
| 2023 | 64 | 72 |
| 2022 | 46 | 54 |
| 2021 | 59 | 63 |
| 2020 | 49 | 57 |
| 2019 | 34 | 40 |
| 2018 | 51 | 58 |
| 2017 | 43 | 47 |
| 2016 | 48 | 57 |
| 2015 | 52 | 61 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Smith County
State Highway 31 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Smith County from 2015 to 2024: 48, with 59 deaths. The 9 roads listed held 53% of all fatal crashes in Smith County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 6 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 31 | 48 | 59 | 20 | |
| 2 | I-20 | 42 | 54 | 11 | |
| 3 | State Highway 110 | 38 | 47 | 11 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 155 | 35 | 37 | 12 | |
| 5 | State Highway 64 | 34 | 37 | 13 | |
| 6 | US 69 | 28 | 30 | 9 | |
| 7 | US 271 | 18 | 19 | 5 | |
| 8 | State Highway 323 | 11 | 14 | 7 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 135 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Tyler 110, Lindale 12. 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 Smith County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 25 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 5 pm to 6 pm; the worst month is December.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.9 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 25 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 23 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 22 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.3%
- Feb7.5%
- Mar5.5%
- Apr9.1%
- May10.6%
- Jun8.1%
- Jul7.9%
- Aug8.7%
- Sep8.7%
- Oct8.7%
- Nov6.9%
- Dec10.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Smith County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 49%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 24%, a pedestrian in 14%, a rollover in 7.7%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 240 | 49% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 119 | 24% |
| Pedestrian | 71 | 14% |
| Rollover | 38 | 7.7% |
| Other | 15 | 3.0% |
| Cyclist | 6 | 1.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 0.6% |
| 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 Smith County compare with Texas
A drinking driver was recorded in 17% of fatal crashes in Smith County from 2015 to 2024, below the Texas share of 26%; speeding in 30%, below the Texas share of 32%; a hit-and-run in 4.3%, below the Texas share of 7.6%; a driver recorded as distracted in 7.3%, below the Texas share of 10%; 39% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below 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.
| Smith | Texas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 51% | 38% | above the Texas share |
| At or near an intersection | 20% | 22% | below the Texas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 43% | 31% | above the Texas share |
| A drinking driver | 17% | 26% | below the Texas share |
| Speeding | 30% | 32% | below the Texas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.3% | 10% | below the Texas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 39% | 45% | below the Texas share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.3% | 7.6% | below the Texas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 14% | about the same as the Texas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 14% | 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 Smith County
- How many people died in car accidents in Smith County in 2024?
- 53 people died in 46 fatal crashes in Smith County, Texas, in 2024, 26.4% fewer than in 2023. That is 21.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.3 across Texas.
- What is the deadliest road in Smith County?
- State Highway 31 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Smith County from 2015 to 2024: 48, with 59 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Smith County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 25 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Smith County involved a drinking driver?
- 85 of 492 fatal crashes in Smith County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 17%, 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
- Denton County
- Bell County
- Lubbock County
All fatal crashes in Texas, with every county ranked.
Where the Smith County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Smith County (county code 423). 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.