Fatal crashes in Rockingham County, Virginia
In 2024, 12 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Rockingham County, Virginia, down from 13 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 117 fatal crashes and 124 deaths, the 19th most of 132 counties in Virginia.
13.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.4 across Virginia in 2024; 15 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 87,674, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Virginia.
Deaths in Rockingham County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 | 12 |
| 2023 | 12 | 13 |
| 2022 | 15 | 15 |
| 2021 | 11 | 11 |
| 2020 | 14 | 16 |
| 2019 | 14 | 15 |
| 2018 | 8 | 8 |
| 2017 | 10 | 12 |
| 2016 | 11 | 12 |
| 2015 | 10 | 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 Rockingham County
I-81 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rockingham County from 2015 to 2024: 13, with 15 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 53% of all fatal crashes in Rockingham County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 3 US routes, 3 state highways. 63% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 37% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-81 | 13 | 15 | 2 | |
| 2 | US 33 | 11 | 11 | 2 | |
| 3 | US 11 | 10 | 11 | 4 | |
| 4 | State Highway 259 | 10 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 42 | 7 | 8 | 4 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 257 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
| 7 | US 340 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
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 Rockingham County
117 fatal crashes in Rockingham County, 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 7 pm to 8 pm; the worst month is April.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 7.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.8%
- Feb5.1%
- Mar8.5%
- Apr12.0%
- May7.7%
- Jun6.8%
- Jul7.7%
- Aug9.4%
- Sep9.4%
- Oct10.3%
- Nov6.8%
- Dec9.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Rockingham County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 42%; a collision with another vehicle in 37%, a pedestrian in 8.5%, a rollover in 7.7%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 49 | 42% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 43 | 37% |
| Pedestrian | 10 | 8.5% |
| Rollover | 9 | 7.7% |
| Other | 3 | 2.6% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 1.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.9% |
| 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 Rockingham County compare with Virginia
The largest difference from Virginia: from 2015 to 2024, 89% of fatal crashes in Rockingham County were on rural roads, against 55% across Virginia. Also above the Virginia share: unlit roads at night and speeding. Below it: intersections. 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 117 crashes.
| Rockingham | Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 89% | 55% | above the Virginia share |
| At or near an intersection | 14% | 23% | below the Virginia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 45% | 31% | above the Virginia share |
| A drinking driver | 31% | 29% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Speeding | 40% | 29% | above the Virginia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 15% | 11% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 47% | 55% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.7% | 4.1% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 12% | 13% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.1% | 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 Rockingham County, Virginia
- How many people died in car accidents in Rockingham County in 2024?
- 12 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Rockingham County, Virginia, in 2024, down from 13 in 2023. That is 13.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.4 across Virginia. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Rockingham County?
- I-81 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rockingham County from 2015 to 2024: 13, with 15 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Rockingham County involved a drinking driver?
- 36 of 117 fatal crashes in Rockingham County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 31%, 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 Rockingham County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Rockingham County (county code 165). 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/rockingham-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”