Fatal crashes in Benton County, Washington
In 2024, 17 people died in 13 fatal crashes in Benton County, 43.3% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 160 fatal crashes and 177 deaths, the 10th most of any county in Washington.
7.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Washington in 2024; 8.6 against 8.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 218,190, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Washington.
Deaths in Benton County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | 17 |
| 2023 | 28 | 30 |
| 2022 | 19 | 23 |
| 2021 | 18 | 20 |
| 2020 | 12 | 13 |
| 2019 | 11 | 11 |
| 2018 | 14 | 15 |
| 2017 | 14 | 15 |
| 2016 | 22 | 22 |
| 2015 | 9 | 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 Benton County
I-82 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Benton County from 2015 to 2024: 27, with 32 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 39% of all fatal crashes in Benton County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 state highways. 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-82 | 27 | 32 | 6 | |
| 2 | State Highway 240 | 14 | 15 | 11 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 14 | 8 | 9 | 1 | |
| 4 | State Highway 221 | 7 | 8 | 0 | no page |
| 5 | I-182 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Kennewick 34, Richland 33, West Richland 5. 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 Benton County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 5 pm to 6 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 5.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 6.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.9%
- Feb6.2%
- Mar7.5%
- Apr9.4%
- May10.6%
- Jun4.4%
- Jul8.8%
- Aug7.5%
- Sep7.5%
- Oct12.5%
- Nov11.2%
- Dec7.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Benton County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 45%; a rollover in 24%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 16%, a pedestrian in 10%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 72 | 45% |
| Rollover | 38 | 24% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 25 | 16% |
| Pedestrian | 16 | 10% |
| Other | 6 | 3.8% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 1.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.6% |
| 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 Benton County compare with Washington
A drinking driver was recorded in 38% of fatal crashes in Benton County from 2015 to 2024, above the Washington share of 31%; speeding in 28%, below the Washington share of 31%; a hit-and-run in 5.0%, below the Washington share of 6.3%; a driver recorded as distracted in 17%, below the Washington share of 21%; 37% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Washington share of 40%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Washington. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Benton | Washington | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 41% | 42% | below the Washington share |
| At or near an intersection | 27% | 26% | about the same as the Washington share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 28% | 24% | above the Washington share |
| A drinking driver | 38% | 31% | above the Washington share |
| Speeding | 28% | 31% | below the Washington share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 17% | 21% | below the Washington share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 37% | 40% | below the Washington share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.0% | 6.3% | below the Washington share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 17% | above the Washington share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 9.6% | 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 Benton County
- How many people died in car accidents in Benton County in 2024?
- 17 people died in 13 fatal crashes in Benton County, Washington, in 2024, 43.3% fewer than in 2023. That is 7.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Washington.
- What is the deadliest road in Benton County?
- I-82 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Benton County from 2015 to 2024: 27, with 32 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Benton County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Benton County involved a drinking driver?
- 61 of 160 fatal crashes in Benton County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 38%, 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
- Skagit County
- Whatcom County
- Cowlitz County
All fatal crashes in Washington, with every county ranked.
Where the Benton County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Benton County (county code 5). 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.