Fatal crashes in Portsmouth city, Virginia
In 2024, 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Portsmouth city, Virginia, down from 12 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 83 fatal crashes and 88 deaths, the 31st most of 132 counties in Virginia.
Deaths in Portsmouth city by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 6 |
| 2023 | 11 | 12 |
| 2022 | 12 | 13 |
| 2021 | 11 | 12 |
| 2020 | 2 | 2 |
| 2019 | 6 | 6 |
| 2018 | 11 | 11 |
| 2017 | 12 | 13 |
| 2016 | 8 | 8 |
| 2015 | 4 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Portsmouth city
I-264 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Portsmouth city from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 23 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 72% of all fatal crashes in Portsmouth city from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 4 state highways. 75% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 25% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-264 | 21 | 23 | 4 | no page |
| 2 | US 17 | 8 | 9 | 5 | |
| 3 | State Highway 164 | 7 | 8 | 2 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 141 | 6 | 7 | 1 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 239 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 337 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
| 7 | US 58 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
Portsmouth had 95% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 79 of 83.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Portsmouth 79. 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 Portsmouth city
83 fatal crashes in Portsmouth city, Virginia 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 2 am to 3 am; the worst month is March.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 6.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 3.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 7.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 3.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 6.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 7.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.0%
- Feb7.2%
- Mar12.0%
- Apr9.6%
- May4.8%
- Jun8.4%
- Jul10.8%
- Aug8.4%
- Sep12.0%
- Oct3.6%
- Nov7.2%
- 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 Portsmouth city first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 36%; a collision with another vehicle in 25%, a pedestrian in 18%, a rollover in 6.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 30 | 36% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 21 | 25% |
| Pedestrian | 15 | 18% |
| Other | 7 | 8.4% |
| Rollover | 5 | 6.0% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 3.6% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 2.4% |
| 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 Portsmouth city compare with Virginia
The largest difference from Virginia: from 2015 to 2024, 0.0% of fatal crashes in Portsmouth city were on rural roads, against 55% across Virginia. Also above the Virginia share: distracted drivers and unbelted occupants. Below it: unlit roads at night. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Virginia. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 83 crashes.
| Portsmouth city | Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 0.0% | 55% | below the Virginia share |
| At or near an intersection | 24% | 23% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 6.0% | 31% | below the Virginia share |
| A drinking driver | 30% | 29% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Speeding | 29% | 29% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 18% | 11% | above the Virginia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 68% | 55% | above the Virginia share |
| Hit-and-run | 7.2% | 4.1% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 17% | 13% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 17% | 14% | about the same as 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 Portsmouth city, Virginia
- How many people died in car accidents in Portsmouth city in 2024?
- 6 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Portsmouth city, Virginia, in 2024, down from 12 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Portsmouth city?
- I-264 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Portsmouth city from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 23 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Portsmouth city involved a drinking driver?
- 25 of 83 fatal crashes in Portsmouth city from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 30%, 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 Portsmouth city numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Portsmouth city (county code 740). 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/virginia/portsmouth-city/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”