Fatal crashes in Nelson County, Virginia
In 2024, 9 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Nelson County, 12.5% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 58 fatal crashes and 60 deaths.
Deaths in Nelson County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 9 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 |
| 2021 | 10 | 10 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 |
| 2019 | 4 | 4 |
| 2018 | 7 | 8 |
| 2017 | 4 | 4 |
| 2015 | 7 | 7 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Nelson County
US 29 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Nelson County from 2015 to 2024: 22, with 22 deaths. The 2 roads listed held 48% of all fatal crashes in Nelson County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 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 29 | 22 | 22 | 9 | |
| 2 | State Highway 151 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
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 Nelson 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 | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 8.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 6.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.2%
- Feb5.2%
- Mar10.3%
- Apr3.4%
- May10.3%
- Jun10.3%
- Jul12.1%
- Aug8.6%
- Sep8.6%
- Oct12.1%
- Nov6.9%
- Dec6.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Nelson County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 47%; a collision with another vehicle in 36%, a pedestrian in 3.4%, a rollover in 3.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 27 | 47% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 21 | 36% |
| Other | 5 | 8.6% |
| Pedestrian | 2 | 3.4% |
| Rollover | 2 | 3.4% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.7% |
| Cyclist | 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 Nelson County compare with Virginia
A drinking driver was recorded in 26% of fatal crashes in Nelson County from 2015 to 2024, below the Virginia share of 29%; speeding in 22%, below the Virginia share of 29%; a hit-and-run in 0.0%, below the Virginia share of 4.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 19%, above the Virginia share of 11%; 55% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, about the Virginia share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Virginia. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Nelson | Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 100% | 55% | above the Virginia share |
| At or near an intersection | 26% | 23% | above the Virginia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 28% | 31% | below the Virginia share |
| A drinking driver | 26% | 29% | below the Virginia share |
| Speeding | 22% | 29% | below the Virginia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 19% | 11% | above the Virginia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 55% | 55% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 4.1% | below the Virginia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 6.9% | 13% | below the Virginia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 3.3% | 14% | below the Virginia 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 Nelson County
- How many people died in car accidents in Nelson County in 2024?
- 9 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Nelson County, Virginia, in 2024, 12.5% more than in 2023.
- What is the deadliest road in Nelson County?
- US 29 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Nelson County from 2015 to 2024: 22, with 22 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Nelson County involved a drinking driver?
- 15 of 58 fatal crashes in Nelson County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 26%, against 29% across Virginia.
Other counties in Virginia with a page
- Fairfax County
- Chesterfield County
- Henrico County
- Virginia Beach city
- Prince William County
- Richmond city
- Norfolk city
- Chesapeake city
- Newport News city
- Pittsylvania County
- Spotsylvania County
- Hanover County
All fatal crashes in Virginia, with every county ranked.
Where the Nelson County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Nelson County (county code 125). 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.