Fatal crashes in Adams County, Washington
In 2024, 6 people died in 4 fatal crashes in Adams County, Washington, down from 10 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 65 fatal crashes and 75 deaths, the 20th most of 39 counties in Washington.
Deaths in Adams County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 6 |
| 2023 | 8 | 10 |
| 2022 | 6 | 8 |
| 2021 | 6 | 6 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 |
| 2019 | 6 | 7 |
| 2018 | 6 | 7 |
| 2017 | 10 | 10 |
| 2016 | 4 | 5 |
| 2015 | 10 | 11 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Adams County
I-90 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Adams County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 18 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 71% of all fatal crashes in Adams County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 1 US route, 2 state highways. 86% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 14% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-90 | 17 | 18 | 4 | |
| 2 | State Highway 26 | 13 | 17 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | US 395 | 9 | 10 | 2 | |
| 4 | State Highway 17 | 7 | 9 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Othello 6. 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 Adams County
65 fatal crashes in Adams County, Washington 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 1 pm to 2 pm; the worst month is June.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.2%
- Feb7.7%
- Mar1.5%
- Apr7.7%
- May10.8%
- Jun18.5%
- Jul4.6%
- Aug6.2%
- Sep10.8%
- Oct6.2%
- Nov3.1%
- Dec13.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Adams County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 40%; a rollover in 35%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 14%, a pedestrian in 3.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 26 | 40% |
| Rollover | 23 | 35% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 9 | 14% |
| Other | 3 | 4.6% |
| Pedestrian | 2 | 3.1% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.5% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.5% |
| 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 Adams County compare with Washington
The largest difference from Washington: from 2015 to 2024, 91% of fatal crashes in Adams County were on rural roads, against 42% across Washington. Also above the Washington share: unlit roads at night. Below it: drinking drivers, motorcycles and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Washington. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 65 crashes.
| Adams | Washington | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 91% | 42% | above the Washington share |
| At or near an intersection | 19% | 26% | about the same as the Washington share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 35% | 24% | above the Washington share |
| A drinking driver | 17% | 31% | below the Washington share |
| Speeding | 37% | 31% | about the same as the Washington share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 15% | 21% | about the same as the Washington share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 37% | 40% | about the same as the Washington share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.6% | 6.3% | about the same as the Washington share |
| A motorcycle involved | 6.2% | 17% | below the Washington share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 2.7% | 18% | below the Washington 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 Adams County, Washington
- How many people died in car accidents in Adams County in 2024?
- 6 people died in 4 fatal crashes in Adams County, Washington, in 2024, down from 10 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Adams County?
- I-90 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Adams County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 18 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Adams County involved a drinking driver?
- 11 of 65 fatal crashes in Adams County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 17%, against 31% across Washington.
Other counties in Washington with a page
- King County
- Pierce County
- Snohomish County
- Spokane County
- Yakima County
- Clark County
- Thurston County
- Grant County
- Kitsap County
- Benton County
- Skagit County
- Whatcom County
All fatal crashes in Washington, with every county ranked.
Where the Adams County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Adams County (county code 1). 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/washington/adams-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”