Fatal crashes in Roanoke County, Virginia
In 2024, 7 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Roanoke County, 22.2% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 76 fatal crashes and 84 deaths.
Deaths in Roanoke County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 7 |
| 2023 | 8 | 9 |
| 2022 | 11 | 11 |
| 2021 | 6 | 7 |
| 2020 | 9 | 11 |
| 2019 | 10 | 11 |
| 2018 | 4 | 5 |
| 2017 | 7 | 8 |
| 2016 | 5 | 5 |
| 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 Roanoke County
I-81 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Roanoke County from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 26 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 51% of all fatal crashes in Roanoke County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes. 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 | I-81 | 21 | 26 | 5 | |
| 2 | US 221 | 10 | 10 | 2 | no page |
| 3 | US 11 | 8 | 9 | 4 |
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 Roanoke 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, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 6.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan3.9%
- Feb15.8%
- Mar5.3%
- Apr7.9%
- May11.8%
- Jun9.2%
- Jul5.3%
- Aug9.2%
- Sep3.9%
- Oct14.5%
- Nov7.9%
- Dec5.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Roanoke County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 46%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 41%, a pedestrian in 9.2%, a rollover in 1.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 35 | 46% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 31 | 41% |
| Pedestrian | 7 | 9.2% |
| Other | 2 | 2.6% |
| Rollover | 1 | 1.3% |
| 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 Roanoke County compare with Virginia
A drinking driver was recorded in 26% of fatal crashes in Roanoke County from 2015 to 2024, below the Virginia share of 29%; speeding in 28%, below the Virginia share of 29%; a hit-and-run in 2.6%, below the Virginia share of 4.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 13%, above the Virginia share of 11%; 52% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Virginia share of 55%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Virginia. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Roanoke | Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 28% | 55% | below the Virginia share |
| At or near an intersection | 32% | 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 | 28% | 29% | below the Virginia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 13% | 11% | above the Virginia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 52% | 55% | below the Virginia share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.6% | 4.1% | below the Virginia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 13% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.3% | 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 Roanoke County
- How many people died in car accidents in Roanoke County in 2024?
- 7 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Roanoke County, Virginia, in 2024, 22.2% fewer than in 2023.
- What is the deadliest road in Roanoke County?
- I-81 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Roanoke County from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 26 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Roanoke County involved a drinking driver?
- 20 of 76 fatal crashes in Roanoke 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 Roanoke County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Roanoke County (county code 161). 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.